1883 Haydock Douay Rheims Bible
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| Sirach 18:1 | He that liveth for ever, *created all things together. God only shall be justified, and he remaineth an invincible king for ever. Genesis 1:1. | Together, as to their substance, though they received different forms successively, as Moses relates. Both writers are divinely inspired. (St. Augustine, de Gen. ad Lit. 4:33.) (Worthington) (St. Thomas Aquinas, 1:p. 974. a. 2.) --- Some suppose that all things were really formed in an instant, and that the order described by Moses is only as we should conceive it. (Cajetan) --- This passage only means that God alone was the creator both of the sun and of man, and without him nothing was made, (John i., and Psalm 32:15.) as he gave existence to all, koine, "in common." (Calmet) --- And he. Greek, "and there is no other besides him who steers the world with the palm of his hand. And all things obey his will; for he is king of all, in his might, separating what is holy among them from the profane. (2.) He has enabled no one to," etc. (Haydock) |
| Sirach 18:2 | Who is able to declare his works? | |
| Sirach 18:3 | For who shall search out his glorious acts? | |
| Sirach 18:4 | And who shall shew forth the power of his majesty? or who shall be able to declare his mercy? | |
| Sirach 18:5 | Nothing may be taken away, nor added, neither is it possible to find out the glorious works of God: | Added. The works speak for themselves, though man be silent. (Calmet) |
| Sirach 18:6 | When a man hath done, then shall he begin: and when he leaveth off, he shall be at a loss. | Begin. God is so great and incomprehensible, that when man has done all that he can to find out his greatness and boundless perfections, he is still to begin: for what he has found out, is but a mere nothing, in comparison of his infinity. (Challoner) --- It is best to adore him in silence and humility. (Calmet) |
| Sirach 18:7 | What is man, and what is his grace? and what is his good, or what is his evil? | Grace. Greek, "utility." (Haydock) --- Evil. What can man do for or against God? Job 22:3., and Psalm 15:2. |
| Sirach 18:8 | *The number of the days of men at the most are a hundred years: as a drop of water of the sea are they esteemed: and as a pebble of the sand, so are a few years compared to eternity. Psalm 89:10. | Years. Seneca fixes on the same number; (Brev. Vitae. 3.) Macrobius on seventy, for the life of man; which nearly agrees with the author of Psalm 89:10. (Haydock) --- It seldom happens that people exceed 70, or 100 years. But what is this compared with eternity? (Calmet) --- Greek, "a hundred years are many....so are a thousand years in the day of the age," or of aionos, eternity. (Haydock) (Psalm 89:4., and 2 Peter 3:8.) |
| Sirach 18:9 | Therefore God is patient in them, and poureth forth his mercy upon them. | Them. Human misery calls forth God's pity. (Calmet) |
| Sirach 18:10 | He hath seen the presumption of their heart, that it is wicked, and hath known their end, that it is evil. | |
| Sirach 18:11 | Therefore hath he filled up his mercy in their favour, and hath shewn them the way of justice. | |
| Sirach 18:12 | The compassion of man is toward his neighbour: but the mercy of God is upon all flesh. | Flesh. It is infinite and disinterested. Man assists his neighbour expecting a recompense, and remembering that he may be distressed. |
| Sirach 18:13 | He hath mercy, and teacheth, and correcteth, as a shepherd doth his flock. | |
| Sirach 18:14 | He hath mercy on him that receiveth the discipline of mercy, and that maketh haste in his judgments. | Judgments. To execute his orders. Here ends the discourse begun [in] Ecclesiasticus 14:22. (Calmet) |
| Sirach 18:15 | My son, in thy good deeds, make no complaint, and when thou givest any thing, add not grief by an evil word. | Complaint. Greek, "reproach." (Haydock) --- The manner of giving, enhances the value of the gift, or even surpasses it. (Calmet) -----Super omnia vultus Accessere boni, nec iners pauperque voluntas. ([Ovid?] Met. 8.) |
| Sirach 18:16 | Shall not the dew assuage the heat? so also the good word is better than the gift. | |
| Sirach 18:17 | Lo, is not a word better than a gift? but both are with a justified man. | |
| Sirach 18:18 | A fool will upbraid bitterly: and a gift of one ill taught consumeth the eyes. | |
| Sirach 18:19 | Before judgment prepare thee justice, and learn before thou speak. | |
| Sirach 18:20 | Before sickness take a medicine, *and before judgment examine thyself, and thou shalt find mercy in the sight of God. 1 Corinthians 11:28. | Medicine. This is more requisite and easy to do in the maladies of the soul, which are brought on by our own fault. Principiis obsta. (Calmet) --- Mercy. Greek, "propitiation in the hour of visitation," (Haydock) or punishment. (Calmet) |
| Sirach 18:21 | Humble thyself before thou art sick, and in the time of sickness shew thy conversation. | Sick. Roman Greek adds, "by abstinence, and in the time of sins, manifest a conversion." (Haydock) --- If we take precautions to avoid illness, why should we neglect the concerns of our soul? --- Conversation, or good conduct. |
| Sirach 18:22 | Let nothing hinder thee from praying *always, and be not afraid to be justified even to death: for the reward of God continueth for ever. Luke 18:1.; 1 Thessalonians 5:17. | Always. These admirable maxims seem copied from the gospel, Luke 18:1. (Calmet) --- The same spirit dictated all the Scriptures. (Haydock) --- Those pray always who neglect not this duty at proper times, and are always resolved to do so. (St. Augustine, ep. 121. q. ad Prob.) (Worthington) --- Greek, "be not hindered from performing thy vow in good time, and wait not to be justified, (Haydock) or to put it in execution till death. Deuteronomy 23:21. Before thou takest a vow," etc. Examine well if thou intend to perform it. (Calmet) |
| Sirach 18:23 | Before prayer prepare thy soul: and be not as a man that tempteth God. | God. Can we expect that he will hear what we do not ourselves? To approach his majesty, without repentance and attention, is presumptuous. We must ask God to open our lips, and do what lies in us. (Trid.[Council of Trent?]) (Calmet) |
| Sirach 18:24 | *Remember the wrath that shall be at the last day, and the time of repaying, when he shall turn away his face. Ecclesiasticus 7:18. | Face, saying to the reprobate, Depart, etc., Ecclesiasticus 7:40., and Matthew 25:41. (Haydock) |
| Sirach 18:25 | *Remember poverty in the time of abundance, and the necessities of poverty in the day of riches. Ecclesiasticus 11:27. | Riches. By their good use, lay up a treasure in heaven, and be always humble, Ecclesiasticus 11:27. |
| Sirach 18:26 | From the morning until the evening the time shall be changed, and all these are swift in the eyes of God. | God. All things continually change. (Calmet) --- Rotam volubili orbe versamus. (Boet. cons. 2.) --- Reflect on Aman and Mardochai. (Calmet) Quem dies vidit veniens superbum, Hunc dies vidit fugiens jacentem. (Sen.[Seneca?] Thyeste.) |
| Sirach 18:27 | A wise man will fear in every thing, and in the days of sins will beware of sloth. | Thing. Mindful of the reverses of fortune, Ecclesiasticus 11:30., and Proverbs 28:14. (Calmet) --- Sloth, and repent. Greek adds, "the fool will not observe the season." (Haydock) |
| Sirach 18:28 | Every man of understanding knoweth wisdom, and will give praise to him that findeth her. | Her. It is a rare thing to discern and to give due praise to merit. (Calmet) |
| Sirach 18:29 | They that were of good understanding in words, have also done wisely themselves: and have understood truth and justice, and have poured forth proverbs and judgments. | And judgments. Greek, "full of accuracy." Some add the title "restraint of the soul." (Haydock) |
| Sirach 18:30 | *Go not after thy lusts, but turn away from thy own will. Romans 6:12-13. and 13:14. | |
| Sirach 18:31 | If thou give to thy soul her desires, she will make thee a joy to thy enemies. | Enemies. This motive will make the most impression on those who are slaves to their passions. (Calmet) |
| Sirach 18:32 | Take no pleasure in riotous assemblies, be they ever so small: for their concertation is continual. | Small. Literally, "nor in those which are small." (Haydock) --- Composed of the meanest citizens. Quarrels and sin are there almost inevitable. (Calmet) --- Greek, "rejoice not in high living; nor beg for its symbol," (Haydock) or feast, in which each person contributed his share, sumbole, as the next verse implies. (Calmet) --- Symbolum dedit, caenavit. (Ter.[Tertullian?] And.) |
| Sirach 18:33 | Make not thyself poor by borrowing to contribute to feasts when thou hast nothing in thy purse: for thou shalt be an enemy to thy own life. |