Sirach – Chapter 12

Old Testament19 Verses

1If thou do good, know to whom thou dost it, and there shall be much thanks for thy good deeds.

2Do good to the just, and thou shalt find great recompense: and if not of him, assuredly of the Lord.

3For there is no good for him that is always occupied in evil, and that giveth no alms: for the Highest hateth sinners, and hath mercy on the penitent.

4Give to the merciful and uphold not the sinner: God will repay vengeance to the ungodly and to sinners, and keep them against the day of vengeance.

5Give to the good, and receive not a sinner.

6Do good to the humble, and give not to the ungodly: hold back thy bread, and give it not to him, lest thereby he overmaster thee.

7For thou shalt receive twice as much evil for all the good thou shalt have done to him: for the Highest also hateth sinners, and will repay vengeance to the ungodly.

8A friend shall not be known in prosperity, and an enemy shall not be hidden in adversity.

9In the prosperity of a man, his enemies are grieved: and a friend is known in his adversity.

10Never trust thy enemy for as a brass pot his wickedness rusteth:

11Though he humble himself and go crouching, yet take good heed and beware of him.

12Set him not by thee, neither let him sit on thy right hand, lest he turn into thy place, and seek to take thy seat and at the last thou acknowledge my words, and be pricked with my sayings.

13Who will pity an enchanter struck by a serpent, or any that come near wild beasts? so is it with him that keepeth company with a wicked man, and is involved in his sins.

14For an hour he will abide with thee: but if thou begin to decline, he will not endure it.

15An enemy speaketh sweetly with his lips, but in his heart he lieth in wait, to throw thee into a pit.

16An enemy weepeth with his eyes: but if he find an opportunity he will not be satisfied with blood:

17And if evils come upon thee, thou shalt find him there first.

18An enemy hath tears in his eyes, and while he pretendeth to help thee, will undermine thy feet.

19He will shake his head, and clap his hands, and whisper much, and change his countenance.

Reflection for Today

Sirach Chapter 12 presents themes of practical wisdom and fear of the Lord that Catholic tradition has long cherished. this deuterocanonical book provides guidance for daily life (CIC 1806). The teaching that All wisdom comes from the Lord remains as relevant today as when first written.

The Church reads Scripture within the context of the liturgy, where the Word of God is proclaimed and celebrated. The Catechism teaches that "in the liturgy, God speaks to his people and Christ is still proclaiming his Gospel" (CIC 1088). This chapter, when read in the context of the Church's worship, takes on deeper meaning.

Catholic biblical scholarship, guided by the Magisterium, helps us understand both the historical context and the spiritual meaning of these texts. The four senses of Scripture—literal, allegorical, moral, and anagogical—open up the richness of God's Word. May your reading of this chapter bear fruit in holiness and service to others.

💡Catholic Reflection • Church Teachings

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