The chapter falls into two halves. The first (vv. 1-10) describes wisdom's embrace of those who fear the Lord: she meets them like a mother and a bride, feeds them with understanding, and gives them a name in the assembly. The second half (vv. 11-20) is one of the most important theological passages in the deuterocanonical literature: a vigorous defense of human free will. Do not blame God for sin; he created humanity with the freedom to choose between fire and water, life and death.
Verse 14 ('He himself made man from the beginning and left him in the hand of his own counsel') became the foundational proof-text for the doctrine of free will in Catholic theology. The Council of Trent cited it against Reformation claims of total depravity. It was equally important to Augustine, who wrestled with its implications throughout his career. The passage is Ben Sira's most original theological contribution.
The assertion of free will (vv. 14-17) creates a direct tension with later Pauline and Augustinian theology of grace. If humans can freely choose good, what need is there for divine grace? Ben Sira, writing before the Christian debates, does not address this question. The Catholic tradition eventually harmonized free will and grace, but the Sirach text leans heavily toward human capacity.
Deuteronomy 30:15-20 (I set before you life and death); Genesis 2:16-17 (the tree and the choice); Romans 7:15-24 (Paul's struggle with sin); James 1:13-15 (God tempts no one); Sirach 17:6-7 (God gave them counsel and the law of life).
Qui timet Deum faciet bona et qui continens est iustitiae adprehendet illam.
Whoever fears God will do good, and whoever holds fast to righteousness will lay hold of her.
Et obviabit illi quasi mater honorificata et quasi mulier a virginitate suscipiet illum.
And she will meet him like an honored mother, and like a bride she will receive him.
The mother image emphasizes nurture and authority; the bride image emphasizes intimacy and joy.
Cibabit illum pane vitae et intellectus et aqua sapientiae salutaris potabit illum.
She will feed him with the bread of life and understanding, and will give him the water of saving wisdom to drink.
Wisdom nourishes with the bread that sustains eternal life, not merely physical survival.
Et firmabitur in illo et non flectetur et continebit illum et non confundetur.
And she will be established in him, and he will not waver; she will hold him fast, and he will not be put to shame.
Et exaltabit illum apud proximos suos et in medio ecclesiae aperiet os eius.
And she will exalt him among his neighbors, and in the midst of the assembly she will open his mouth.
The public gathering where wisdom is practiced and recognized.
Iucunditatem et exultationem thesaurizabit super illum et nomine aeterno hereditabit illum.
She will store up joy and exultation upon him, and will give him an everlasting name as his inheritance.
In a culture without developed afterlife belief, the enduring name is the highest form of survival beyond death.
Homines stulti non adprehendent illam et homines sensati obviabunt illi homines stulti non videbunt illam longe enim abest a superbia et dolo.
Foolish men will not lay hold of her, but men of understanding will meet her. Foolish men will not see her, for she is far from pride and deceit.
Viri mendaces non erunt illius memores et viri veraces invenientur in illa et successum habebunt usque ad inspectionem Dei.
Liars will have no memory of her, but truthful men will be found in her and will prosper until the visitation of God.
Non est speciosa laus in ore peccatoris.
Praise is not fitting in the mouth of a sinner.
Quoniam a Deo profecta est sapientia laudem enim Dei sapientia adsistet et in ore fideli abundabit et dominator dabit eam illi.
For wisdom comes forth from God; the praise of God abides with wisdom, and in the mouth of the faithful it will abound, and the Sovereign Lord will bestow it upon him.
Dominator emphasizes God's absolute authority; he bestows wisdom as sovereign gift.
Non dixeris per Deum abest quae enim odit ne feceris.
Do not say, 'It was God's doing that I fell away,' for you must not do what he hates.
Non dicas ille me inplanavit non enim necessarii sunt ei homines impii.
Do not say, 'He led me astray,' for he has no need of sinful men.
Omne execramentum erroris odit Dominus et non erit amabile timentibus eum.
The Lord hates every abomination of error, and it is not beloved by those who fear him.
Deus ab initio constituit hominem et reliquit illum in manu consilii sui.
God in the beginning made the human being, and left him in the hand of his own counsel.
Consilium means deliberate judgment or choice; humanity is endowed with the power of moral self-determination.
Adiecit mandata et praecepta sua.
He added his commandments and precepts.
Si volueris mandata servare conservabunt te et in perpetuum fidem placitam facere.
If you choose to keep the commandments, they will preserve you, and to maintain faithfulness pleasing to God forever.
Adposuit tibi aquam et ignem ad quod volueris porrige manum tuam.
He has set before you fire and water; stretch out your hand to whichever you choose.
A binary choice: water (life, purification) and fire (destruction, judgment). Echoes the Deuteronomic 'life and death' formula.
Ante hominem vita et mors bonum et malum quod placuerit ei dabitur illi.
Before every person lie life and death, good and evil; whichever he chooses will be given to him.
Quoniam multa sapientia Dei et fortis in potentia videns omnes sine intermissione.
For the wisdom of God is great, and he is mighty in power, seeing all things without ceasing.
Oculi Domini ad timentes eum et ipse agnoscit omnem operam hominis.
The eyes of the Lord are upon those who fear him, and he himself knows every work of man.
Nemini mandavit impie agere et nemini dedit spatium peccandi.
He has commanded no one to act wickedly, and he has given no one permission to sin.
Spatium means room or license; God has not made space for sin in his moral order.