Sirach 33:1
Timenti Deum non occurrent mala sed in temptatione Deus illum conservabit et liberabit a malis.
To the one who fears God, no evil will come; but in temptation, God will preserve him and deliver him from evils.
Translator's Introduction
What This Chapter Is About
Chapter 33 opens with the blessings that come to those who fear the Lord, then develops a theology of divine sovereignty through opposites: God has made all things in pairs -- good and evil, life and death, the godly and the sinner. The chapter's central section reflects on the author's own role as a wisdom teacher, presenting himself as a gleaner after the grape-gatherers. It closes with strongly worded advice on managing one's household and slaves, and an exhortation not to surrender authority over one's property before death.
What Makes This Chapter Remarkable
The theology of opposites (vv. 14-15) is one of the most philosophically interesting passages in Sirach -- 'Look at all the works of the Most High: they come in pairs, one opposite the other.' This binary theology attempts to account for evil within a monotheistic framework without resorting to dualism: God is responsible for both sides of each pair. The autobiographical interlude (vv. 16-18) is uniquely personal -- Ben Sira compares himself to a grape gleaner who, by God's blessing, has filled his winepress. It is one of the few moments where the author speaks in his own voice about his own work.
Translation Friction
The instructions regarding slaves (vv. 25-33) reflect the ancient institution of slavery without critique. The advice to 'set your slave to work, for this is fitting for him' and to use 'rack and torture' for the disobedient slave is deeply disturbing to modern readers. These verses must be read as a product of their time, not as timeless moral instruction. The theology of opposites can also be read as fatalistic, diminishing human moral agency.
Connections
Ecclesiastes 7:14 (God made the one as well as the other); Genesis 1 (creation of pairs -- light/darkness, sea/land); Isaiah 45:7 (I form light and create darkness); Romans 9:19-24 (the potter and the clay); Colossians 3:22-4:1 (instructions to slaves and masters).
Sirach 33:2
Sapiens non odit mandata et iustitias et non inlidetur quasi in procella navis.
The wise person does not hate the commandments and ordinances, and will not be dashed about like a ship in a storm.
Notes & Key Terms
Translator Notes
- Torah-obedience provides stability: the law is an anchor against life's tempests.
Sirach 33:3
Homo sensatus credit legi Dei et lex illi fidelis.
A person of understanding trusts the law of God, and the law is faithful to him.
Notes & Key Terms
Translator Notes
- Reciprocity between person and Torah: trust the law, and it will prove trustworthy.
Sirach 33:4
Qui interrogationem manifestat parabit verbum et sic deprecatus exaudietur et conservabit disciplinam et tunc respondebit.
Whoever makes a question clear will prepare a word of response; and having prayed, he will be heard; he will preserve instruction and then give his answer.
Sirach 33:5
Praecordia fatui quasi rota carri et quasi axis versatilis cogitatus illius.
The heart of a fool is like a cart wheel, and his thinking like a turning axle.
Notes & Key Terms
Translator Notes
- The fool's mind spins without direction -- constant motion, no progress.
Sirach 33:6
Equus emissarius sic et amicus subsannator sub omni suprasedente hinnit.
Like a stallion, so is a mocking friend: under every rider he neighs.
Notes & Key Terms
Translator Notes
- The sarcastic friend is like an untamed horse -- he mocks whoever sits above him, respecting no authority.
Sirach 33:7
Quare dies diem superat et iterum lux lucem et annus annum a sole.
Why does one day surpass another, and yet every light comes from the sun, and every year from the sun?
Notes & Key Terms
Translator Notes
- The question introduces the theology of opposites: if all days come from the same source, why are they different?
Sirach 33:8
A Domini scientia separati sunt facto sole et custodiente praeceptum.
By the knowledge of the Lord they were distinguished, after the sun was made and the commandment was kept.
Sirach 33:9
Et inmutavit tempora et dies festos ipsorum et in illis dies festos celebraverunt ad horam.
And he changed the seasons and their feast days, and in them they celebrated the festivals at the appointed time.
Sirach 33:10
Ex ipsis exaltavit et magnificavit Deus et ex ipsis posuit in numerum dierum et omnes homines de solo et ex terra unde creatus est Adam.
Some of them God exalted and made great, and some he placed among the ordinary days. And all people come from the ground, from the earth from which Adam was created.
Sirach 33:11
In multitudine disciplinae Domini separavit eos et inmutavit vias eorum.
In the abundance of his knowledge the Lord distinguished them and made their ways different.
Sirach 33:12
Ex ipsis benedixit et exaltavit et ex ipsis sanctificavit et ad se adplicavit et ex ipsis maledixit et humiliavit et convertit illos a separatione ipsorum.
Some he blessed and exalted, and some he sanctified and drew near to himself; and some he cursed and humbled, and turned them from their position.
Notes & Key Terms
Translator Notes
- Divine sovereignty over human destiny: God elevates some and humbles others. The potter's prerogative.
Sirach 33:13
Quasi lutum figuli in manu ipsius plasmare illud et disponere.
Like clay in the hand of the potter, to be shaped and arranged as he wills.
Notes & Key Terms 1 term
Key Terms
lutum figuli
"clay in the hand of the potter"
The definitive image of divine sovereignty and human contingency -- we are formed material in the Creator's hands.
Translator Notes
- The potter-clay image: humans are clay, God is the potter. This image recurs in Isaiah 29:16, 45:9, Jeremiah 18:1-6, and Romans 9:21.
Sirach 33:14
Omnes viae eius secundum dispositionem eius sic homo in manu illius qui se fecit et reddet illi secundum iudicium suum.
All his ways are according to his arrangement; so a person is in the hand of him who made him, and he will render to each according to his judgment.
Sirach 33:15
Contra malum bonum est et contra mortem vita sic et contra virum iustum peccator et sic intuere in omnia opera Altissimi duo et duo et unum contra unum.
Against evil there is good, and against death there is life; so against the righteous there is the sinner. Look upon all the works of the Most High: they come in pairs, two by two, one opposite the other.
Notes & Key Terms 1 term
Key Terms
duo et duo et unum contra unum
"two by two, one opposite the other"
The binary structure of creation as Ben Sira understands it: everything has its opposite, and both serve God's purpose.
Translator Notes
- The keystone verse of the chapter: all creation is structured in opposing pairs. This is Ben Sira's theodicy -- evil exists as the counterpart to good within God's sovereign design.
Sirach 33:16
Et ego novissimus evigilavi et quasi qui colligit acinos post vindemiatores.
And I was the last to awake, and like one who gleans grapes after the vintagers.
Notes & Key Terms
Translator Notes
- A rare autobiographical moment: Ben Sira presents himself humbly as a latecomer to the wisdom tradition, gathering what the great teachers left behind.
Sirach 33:17
In benedictione Dei et ipse speravi et quasi qui vindimiat replevi torcular.
In the blessing of God I also hoped, and like a grape-gatherer I filled the winepress.
Notes & Key Terms 1 term
Key Terms
torcular
"winepress"
The winepress symbolizes the fullness of his teaching -- what began as gleaning became an abundant harvest.
Translator Notes
- Despite his late arrival, God's blessing made him fruitful: the gleaner's basket overflows.
Sirach 33:18
Respicite quoniam non mihi soli laboravi sed omnibus exquirentibus disciplinam.
Consider that I have not labored for myself alone, but for all who seek instruction.
Notes & Key Terms
Translator Notes
- Ben Sira's mission statement: his work is not private scholarship but public service to all seekers of wisdom.
Sirach 33:19
Audite me magnati et omnes populi et rectores ecclesiae auribus percipite.
Hear me, you leaders, and all peoples; and you rulers of the assembly, give ear.
Sirach 33:20
Filio et mulieri et fratri et amico non des potestatem super te in vita tua et non dederis alii possessionem tuam ne forte paeniteat te et depreceris pro illis.
To son or wife, to brother or friend, do not give authority over you during your life; and do not give your property to another, lest you repent and have to beg from them.
Notes & Key Terms
Translator Notes
- Practical counsel: retain control of your assets while alive. The loss of independence that comes from premature transfer of property is a recurring fear.
Sirach 33:21
Dum adhuc superes et adspiras non immutet te omnis caro.
While you still live and there is breath in you, do not let anyone change your place.
Sirach 33:22
Melius est enim ut filii tui te rogent quam te respicere in manus filiorum tuorum.
For it is better that your children ask from you than that you should look to the hands of your children.
Notes & Key Terms
Translator Notes
- The emotional calculus: asking from your children reverses the natural order and diminishes dignity.
Sirach 33:23
In omnibus operibus tuis praecellens esto.
In all your works, be the one who excels.
Sirach 33:24
Ne dederis maculam in gloria tua in die consummationis dierum tuorum et in tempore exitus tui distribue hereditatem tuam.
Do not put a stain on your glory. On the day when your days are completed, at the time of your death, distribute your inheritance.
Notes & Key Terms
Translator Notes
- Wait until death to distribute property -- this preserves both dignity and authority.
Sirach 33:25
Cibaria et virga et onus asino panis et disciplina et opus servo.
Fodder and a stick and a load for a donkey; bread and discipline and work for a slave.
Notes & Key Terms
Translator Notes
- The parallel between donkey and slave reflects the ancient social order without critique. Modern readers must recognize this as a historical artifact.
Sirach 33:26
Operatur in disciplina et quaerit requiescere laxa manus illi et quaerit libertatem.
Set your slave to work under discipline, and he seeks rest; let his hands be idle, and he seeks freedom.
Sirach 33:27
Iugum et lorum curvant collum durum et servum inclinant operationes adsiduae.
Yoke and leather strap bend a stiff neck, and constant labor bows down a slave.
Sirach 33:28
Servo malivolo tortura et conpedes mitte illum in operationem ne vacet.
For a malicious slave, there is the rack and fetters; send him to labor so that he is not idle.
Sirach 33:29
Multam enim malitiam docuit otiositas.
For idleness has taught much wickedness.
Sirach 33:30
In opera constitue illum sic enim condecet illum quod si non oboedierit curva illum conpedibus et non amplifices super omnem carnem verumtamen sine iudicio nihil facias grave.
Set him to work, for that is fitting for him. If he does not obey, bow him down with fetters. But do not be excessive toward any person, and without proper judgment do nothing severe.
Notes & Key Terms
Translator Notes
- Even within the framework of slavery, Ben Sira insists on proportionality and due process -- no punishment without judgment.
Sirach 33:31
Si est tibi servus fidelis sit tibi quasi anima tua quasi fratrem sic eum tracta quoniam in sanguine animae conparasti illum.
If you have a faithful slave, let him be to you like your own soul; treat him like a brother, for you acquired him at the price of blood.
Notes & Key Terms 1 term
Key Terms
quasi anima tua
"like your own soul"
The highest ethical standard applied within the slave-owner relationship: the faithful slave is one's own self, an extension of one's being.
Translator Notes
- A remarkable qualification: the faithful slave should be treated as a brother and as dear as one's own life. The phrase 'price of blood' acknowledges the human cost of the institution.
Sirach 33:32
Si laeseris eum iniuste in fugam convertetur.
If you mistreat him unjustly, he will run away.
Sirach 33:33
Et si extollens discesserit quem quaeras et in qua via quaeras illum tu nescis.
And if he lifts himself up and departs, whom will you seek, and on what road will you look for him? You do not know.
Notes & Key Terms
Translator Notes
- The practical consequence of injustice: the abused slave flees, and the master loses both the person and any way to find him.