Sirach (Ecclesiasticus) 41
Commentary from 1 father
O death, acceptable is thy sentence unto the needy, and unto him whose strength faileth, that is now in the last age, and is vexed with all things, and to him that despaireth, and hath lost patience!
ὦ θάνατε, καλόν σου τὸ κρίμα ἐστὶν ἀνθρώπῳ ἐπιδεομένῳ καὶ ἐλασσουμένῳ ἰσχύϊ, ἐσχατογήρῳ καὶ περισπωμένῳ περὶ πάντων καὶ ἀπειθοῦντι καὶ ἀπολωλεκότι ὑπομονήν.
мꙋ́жеви не пекꙋ́щꙋсѧ и҆ благополꙋ́чнꙋ во всѣ́хъ, и҆ є҆щѐ возмога́ющꙋ прїѧ́ти пи́щꙋ.
Fear not the sentence of death, remember them that have been before thee, and that come after; for this is the sentence of the Lord over all flesh.
μὴ εὐλαβοῦ κρίμα θανάτου, μνήσθητι προτέρων σου καὶ ἐσχάτων·
Ѽ, сме́рте, до́бръ сꙋ́дъ тво́й є҆́сть человѣ́кꙋ тре́бꙋющемꙋ и҆ ᲂу҆малѧ́ющꙋсѧ крѣ́постїю,
And why art thou against the pleasure of the most High? there is no inquisition in the grave, whether thou have lived ten, or an hundred, or a thousand years.
τοῦτο τὸ κρίμα παρὰ Κυρίου πάσῃ σαρκί, καὶ τί ἀπαναίνῃ ἐν εὐδοκίᾳ ῾Υψίστου; εἴτε δέκα εἴτε ἑκατὸν εἴτε χίλια ἔτη, οὐκ ἔστιν ἐν ᾅδου ἐλεγμὸς ζωῆς.
въ послѣ́дней ста́рости сꙋ́щемꙋ и҆ пекꙋ́щꙋсѧ ѡ҆ всѣ́хъ, и҆ невѣ́рствꙋющꙋ и҆ погꙋби́вшꙋ терпѣ́нїе.
The children of sinners are abominable children, and they that are conversant in the dwelling of the ungodly.
Τέκνα βδελυκτὰ γίνεται τέκνα ἁμαρτωλῶν καὶ συναναστρεφόμενα παροικίαις ἀσεβῶν.
Не бо́йсѧ сꙋда̀ сме́рти: помѧнѝ пє́рваѧ твоѧ̑ и҆ послѣ̑днѧѧ, се́й бо сꙋ́дъ ѿ гдⷭ҇а всѧ́цѣй пло́ти.
The children of sinners are detestable in the eyes of the Lord, not because they are born of sinful parents (since many righteous people had wicked fathers, like Hezekiah son of Ahaz and Josiah son of Amon), but because they imitated the wicked actions of their fathers. For this reason he added, “One who stays in the dwelling of the ungodly,” speaking of those who imitated the crimes of their reprobate parents, whose conduct was wicked and who consequently will miss the inheritance of the heavenly homeland, forever ashamed.
On Ecclesiasticus 9:2
The inheritance of sinners’ children shall perish, and their posterity shall have a perpetual reproach.
τέκνων ἁμαρτωλῶν ἀπολεῖται κληρονομία, καὶ μετὰ τοῦ σπέρματος αὐτῶν ἐνδελεχιεῖ ὄνειδος.
И҆ почто̀ ѿме́щешисѧ бл҃говоле́нїѧ вы́шнѧгѡ; а҆́ще де́сѧть, а҆́ще сто̀, а҆́ще ты́сѧща лѣ́тъ,
The children will complain of an ungodly father, because they shall be reproached for his sake.
πατρὶ ἀσεβεῖ μέμψεται τέκνα, ὅτι δι᾿ αὐτὸν ὀνειδισθήσονται.
нѣ́сть во а҆́дѣ ѡ҆бличе́нїѧ живота̀.
Woe be unto you, ungodly men, which have forsaken the law of the most high God! for if ye increase, it shall be to your destruction:
οὐαὶ ὑμῖν, ἄνδρες ἀσεβεῖς, οἵτινες ἐγκατελίπετε νόμον Θεοῦ ῾Υψίστου·
Ча̑да быва́ютъ мє́рзка ча̑да грѣ́шникѡвъ, и҆ живꙋ̑щаѧ въ селе́нїихъ нечести́выхъ:
And if ye be born, ye shall be born to a curse: and if ye die, a curse shall be your portion.
καὶ ἐὰν γεννηθῆτε, εἰς κατάραν γεννηθήσεσθε, καὶ ἐὰν ἀποθάνητε, εἰς κατάραν μερισθήσεσθε.
ча̑дъ грѣ́шныхъ поги́бнетъ наслѣ́дїе, и҆ съ сѣ́менемъ и҆́хъ вы́нꙋ поноше́нїе.
All that are of the earth shall turn to earth again: so the ungodly shall go from a curse to destruction.
πάντα ὅσα ἐκ γῆς, εἰς γῆν ἀπελεύσεται, οὕτως ἀσεβεῖς ἀπὸ κατάρας εἰς ἀπώλειαν.
Ѻ҆тца̀ нечести́ва ᲂу҆корѧ́тъ ча̑да, ꙗ҆́кѡ є҆гѡ̀ ра́ди поноше́нїе прїи́мꙋтъ.
The mourning of men is about their bodies: but an ill name of sinners shall be blotted out.
Πένθος ἀνθρώπων ἐν σώμασιν αὐτῶν, ὄνομα δὲ ἁμαρτωλῶν οὐκ ἀγαθὸν ἐξαλειφθήσεται.
Го́ре ва́мъ, мꙋ́жїе нечести́вїи, и҆́же ѡ҆ста́висте зако́нъ бг҃а вы́шнѧгѡ:
Have regard to thy name; for that shall continue with thee above a thousand great treasures of gold.
φρόντισον περὶ ὀνόματος, αὐτὸ γάρ σοι διαμένει ἢ χίλιοι μεγάλοι θησαυροὶ χρυσίου.
и҆ а҆́ще родите́сѧ, на клѧ́твꙋ родите́сѧ: и҆ а҆́ще ᲂу҆́мрете, въ клѧ́твꙋ раздѣле́ни бꙋ́дете.
A good life hath but few days: but a good name endureth for ever.
ἀγαθῆς ζωῆς ἀριθμὸς ἡμερῶν, καὶ ἀγαθὸν ὄνομα εἰς αἰῶνα διαμενεῖ.
Всѧ̑, є҆ли̑ка ѿ землѝ, въ зе́млю по́йдꙋтъ: та́кожде нечести́вїи ѿ клѧ́твы въ па́гꙋбꙋ.
My children, keep discipline in peace: for wisdom that is hid, and a treasure that is not seen, what profit is in them both?
παιδείαν ἐν εἰρήνῃ συντηρήσατε, τέκνα· σοφία δὲ κεκρυμμένη καὶ θησαυρὸς ἀφανής, τίς ὠφέλεια ἐν ἀμφοτέροις;
Сѣ́тованїе человѣ́кѡвъ въ тѣлесѣ́хъ и҆́хъ: и҆́мѧ же грѣ́шникѡвъ неблаго́е потреби́тсѧ.
A man that hideth his foolishness is better than a man that hideth his wisdom.
κρείσσων ἄνθρωπος ἀποκρύπτων τὴν μωρίαν αὐτοῦ ἢ ἄνθρωπος ἀποκρύπτων τὴν σοφίαν αὐτοῦ.
Пецы́сѧ ѡ҆ и҆́мени, то́ бо тѝ пребыва́етъ па́че ты́сѧщъ вели́кихъ сокро́вищъ зла́та.
Therefore be shamefaced according to my word: for it is not good to retain all shamefacedness; neither is it altogether approved in every thing.
τοιγαροῦν ἐντράπητε ἐπὶ τῷ ῥήματί μου· οὐ γάρ ἐστι πᾶσαν αἰσχύνην διαφυλάξαι καλόν, καὶ οὐ πάντα πᾶσιν ἐν πίστει εὐδοκιμεῖται.
Блага́гѡ житїѧ̀ число̀ дні́й, и҆ до́брое и҆́мѧ во вѣ́ки пребыва́етъ.
Be ashamed of whoredom before father and mother: and of a lie before a prince and a mighty man;
αἰσχύνεσθε ἀπὸ πατρὸς καὶ μητρὸς περὶ πορνείας καὶ ἀπὸ ἡγουμένου καὶ δυνάστου περὶ ψεύδους,
Наказа́нїе въ ми́рѣ соблюди́те, ча̑да: премꙋ́дрость же сокрове́нна и҆ сокро́вище неѧвле́нно, ка́ѧ по́льза во ѻ҆бои́хъ;
Of an offence before a judge and ruler; of iniquity before a congregation and people;
ἀπὸ κριτοῦ καὶ ἄρχοντος περὶ πλημμελείας, ἀπὸ συναγωγῆς καὶ λαοῦ περὶ ἀνομίας,
Лꙋ́чше человѣ́къ скрыва́ѧй бꙋ́йство своѐ, не́жели человѣ́къ скрыва́ѧй премꙋ́дрость свою̀.
of unjust dealing before thy partner and friend; And of theft in regard of the place where thou sojournest,
ἀπὸ κοινωνοῦ καὶ φίλου περὶ ἀδικίας καὶ ἀπὸ τόπου, οὗ παροικεῖς, περὶ κλοπῆς,
Тѣ́мже ᲂу҆̀бо ᲂу҆срами́тесѧ слове́съ мои́хъ:
and in regard of the truth of God and his covenant; and to lean with thine elbow upon the meat;
ἀπὸ ἀληθείας Θεοῦ καὶ διαθήκης καὶ ἀπὸ πήξεως ἀγκῶνος ἐπ᾿ ἄρτοις,
нѣ́сть бо бла́го всѧ́къ сра́мъ сохранѧ́ти, и҆ не всѧ̑ всѣ̑мъ въ вѣ́рѣ благоволѧ́тсѧ.
and of scorning to give and take; And of silence before them that salute thee;
ἀπὸ σκορακισμοῦ λήψεως καὶ δόσεως καὶ ἀπὸ ἀσπαζομένων περὶ σιωπῆς,
Стыди́тесѧ пред̾ ѻ҆тце́мъ и҆ ма́терїю ѡ҆ блꙋдѣ̀ и҆ пред̾ си́льнымъ и҆ властели́номъ ѡ҆ лжѝ,
21–22The wife of another man is the perverse doctrine of the heretic, who is estranged from faith and from religion, from the company of God and from association with the faithful. For this reason wisdom forbids turning one’s gaze toward her, that is, to love her captivating speech. The maidservant is rather his carnal desire, which must be subjected to the dominion of the spirit, according to the words of the Lord to Cain, “Your instinct is toward you, but you can dominate it,” but which nonetheless prevails in the life of reprobates. For this reason we are forbidden to look toward this maidservant, that is, to give in to her suggestions or to enter her bed, that is, to lie down in her delights. And it is for this reason that in Proverbs, wisdom reproaches this lustful woman in her bed and forbids us to follow her ways, saying, “Now, my son, listen to me, pay attention to the words of my mouth. Let not your heart turn toward her ways, do not lose yourself on her paths, because she has caused many to fall, pierced through, and every one of her victims was vigorous. Her house is a road to the netherworld, leading down to the chambers of death.”
On Ecclesiasticus 9:3
and to look upon an harlot; And to turn away thy face from thy kinsman;
ἀπὸ ὁράσεως γυναικὸς ἑταίρας καὶ ἀπὸ ἀποστροφῆς προσώπου συγγενοῦς,
пред̾ сꙋдїе́ю и҆ кнѧ́земъ ѡ҆ согрѣше́нїи, пред̾ собо́ромъ и҆ людьмѝ ѡ҆ беззако́нїи,
or to take away a portion or a gift; or to gaze upon another man’s wife.
ἀπὸ ἀφαιρέσεως μερίδος καὶ δόσεως καὶ ἀπὸ κατανοήσεως γυναικὸς ὑπάνδρου,
пред̾ ѻ҆́бщникомъ и҆ дрꙋ́гомъ ѡ҆ непра́вдѣ, и҆ на мѣ́стѣ, и҆дѣ́же живе́ши, ѡ҆ татьбѣ̀,
Or to be overbusy with his maid, and come not near her bed;
ἀπὸ περιεργείας παιδίσκης αὐτοῦ, καὶ μὴ ἐπιστῇς ἐπὶ τὴν κοίτην αὐτῆς·
и҆ пред̾ и҆́стиною бж҃їею и҆ завѣ́томъ, и҆ ѿ ѡ҆пе́ртїѧ лакте́й на трапе́зѣ, ѿ прельще́нїѧ взѧ́тїѧ и҆ даѧ́нїѧ,
or of upbraiding speeches before friends; and after thou hast given, upbraid not;
ἀπὸ φίλων περὶ λόγων ὀνειδισμοῦ, καὶ μετὰ τὸ δοῦναι μὴ ὀνείδιζε,
и҆ ѿ цѣлꙋ́ющихъ ѡ҆ молча́нїи, ѿ видѣ́нїѧ жены̀ блꙋдни́цы и҆ ѿ ѿвраще́нїѧ сро́днича лица̀,
or of iterating and speaking again that which thou hast heard; and of revealing of secrets.
ἀπὸ δευτερώσεως καὶ λόγου ἀκοῆς, καὶ ἀπὸ ἀποκαλύψεων λόγων κρυφίων·
ѿ ѿѧ́тїѧ ча́сти и҆ даѧ́нїѧ и҆ ѿ присмотре́нїѧ жены̀ мꙋжа́ты и҆ ѿ ѡ҆больще́нїѧ рабы́ни своеѧ̀,
So shalt thou be truly shamefaced and find favour before all men.
καὶ ἔσῃ αἰσχυντηρὸς ἀληθινῶς καὶ εὑρίσκων χάριν ἔναντι παντὸς ἀνθρώπου.
и҆ не пристꙋпѝ ко ѻ҆дрꙋ̀ є҆ѧ̀:
O death, how bitter is the remembrance of thee to a man that liveth at rest in his possessions, unto the man that hath nothing to vex him, and that hath prosperity in all things: yea, unto him that is yet able to receive meat!
Ω ΘΑΝΑΤΕ, ὡς πικρόν σου τὸ μνημόσυνόν ἐστιν ἀνθρώπῳ εἰρηνεύοντι ἐν τοῖς ὑπάρχουσιν αὐτοῦ ἀνδρὶ ἀπερισπάστῳ καὶ εὐοδουμένῳ ἐν πᾶσι καὶ ἔτι ἰσχύοντι ἐπιδέξασθαι τροφήν.
Ѽ, сме́рте, ко́ль горька̀ твоѧ̀ є҆́сть па́мѧть человѣ́кꙋ ми́рнѡ во и҆мѣ́нїихъ свои́хъ живꙋ́щꙋ,