Sirach (Ecclesiasticus) 47
Commentary from 2 fathers
And after him rose up Nathan to prophesy in the time of David.
ΚΑΙ μετὰ τοῦτο ἀνέστη Νάθαν προφητεύειν ἐν ἡμέραις Δαυίδ.
И҆ по се́мъ воста̀ наѳа́нъ прⷪ҇ро́чествовати во дни̑ даві́дѡвы.
He played with lions as with kids, and with bears as with lambs.
ἐν λέουσιν ἔπαιξεν ὡς ἐν ἐρίφοις καὶ ἐν ἄρκοις ὡς ἐν ἄρνασι προβάτων.
Со львы̑ и҆гра́ше ꙗ҆́кѡ съ кѡ́злищи и҆ съ медвѣ́дми ꙗ҆́кѡ со а҆́гнцы ѻ҆́вчими.
Slew he not a giant, when he was yet but young? and did he not take away reproach from the people, when he lifted up his hand with the stone in the sling, and beat down the boasting of Goliath?
ἐν νεότητι αὐτοῦ οὐχὶ ἀπέκτεινε γίγαντα καὶ ἐξῇρεν ὀνειδισμὸν ἐκ λαοῦ ἐν τῷ ἐπᾶραι χεῖρα ἐν λίθῳ σφενδόνης καὶ καταβαλεῖν γαυρίαμα τοῦ Γολιάθ;
Во ю҆́ности свое́й не ᲂу҆би́лъ ли и҆споли́на, и҆ ѿѧ́тъ поноше́нїе ѿ люді́й,
For he called upon the most high Lord; and he gave him strength in his right hand to slay that mighty warrior, and set up the horn of his people.
ἐπεκαλέσατο γὰρ Κύριον τὸν ῞Υψιστον καὶ ἔδωκεν ἐν τῇ δεξιᾷ αὐτοῦ κράτος ἐξᾶραι ἄνθρωπον δυνατὸν ἐν πολέμῳ, ἀνυψῶσαι κέρας λαοῦ αὐτοῦ.
Призва́ бо гдⷭ҇а вы́шнѧгѡ, и҆ вдадѐ въ десни́цꙋ є҆гѡ̀ крѣ́пость низложи́ти человѣ́ка си́льна на бра́ни, вознестѝ ро́гъ люді́й свои́хъ.
So the people honoured him with ten thousands, and praised him in the blessings of the Lord, in that he gave him a crown of glory.
οὕτως ἐν μυριάσιν ἐδόξασαν αὐτὸν καὶ ᾔνεσαν αὐτὸν ἐν εὐλογίαις Κυρίου ἐν τῷ φέρεσθαι αὐτῷ διάδημα δόξης·
Си́це во тьма́хъ просла́ви є҆го̀ и҆ восхвалѝ є҆го̀ во блгⷭ҇ве́нїихъ гдⷭ҇нихъ, внегда̀ носи́ти є҆мꙋ̀ вѣне́цъ сла́вы.
For he destroyed the enemies on every side, and brought to nought the Philistines his adversaries, and brake their horn in sunder unto this day.
ἐξέτριψε γὰρ ἐχθροὺς κυκλόθεν καὶ ἐξουδένωσε Φυλιστιεὶμ τοὺς ὑπεναντίους· ἕως σήμερον συνέτριψεν αὐτῶν κέρας.
Потреби́ бо врагѝ ѡ҆́крестъ и҆ ᲂу҆ничижѝ фѷлїсті́млѧны проти́вники: да́же додне́сь сокрꙋшѝ и҆̀мъ ро́гъ.
In all his works he praised the Holy One most high with words of glory; with his whole heart he sung songs, and loved him that made him.
ἐν παντὶ ἔργῳ αὐτοῦ ἔδωκεν ἐξομολόγησιν ἁγίῳ ῾Υψίστῳ ῥήματι δόξης· ἐν πάσῃ καρδίᾳ αὐτοῦ ὕμνησε καὶ ἠγάπησε τὸν ποιήσαντα αὐτόν.
Во всѧ́цѣмъ дѣ́лѣ свое́мъ дадѐ и҆сповѣ́данїе ст҃о́мꙋ вы́шнемꙋ глаго́ломъ сла́вы:
He set singers also before the altar, that by their voices they might make sweet melody, and daily sing praises in their songs.
καὶ ἔστησε ψαλτῳδοὺς κατέναντι τοῦ θυσιαστηρίου καὶ ἐξ ἠχοῦς αὐτῶν γλυκαίνειν μέλη·
И҆ поста́ви пѣвцы̀ прѧ́мѡ ѻ҆лтаре́ви, и҆ звꙋ́комъ и҆́хъ ᲂу҆слажда́ти пѣ́нїе.
He beautified their feasts, and set in order the solemn times until the end, that they might praise his holy name, and that the temple might sound from morning.
ἔδωκεν ἐν ἑορταῖς εὐπρέπειαν καὶ ἐκόσμησε καιροὺς μέχρι συντελείας ἐν τῷ αἰνεῖν αὐτοὺς τὸ ἅγιον ὄνομα αὐτοῦ καὶ ἀπὸ πρωΐ ἠχεῖν τὸ ἁγίασμα.
Дадѐ во пра́здницѣхъ благолѣ́пїе и҆ ᲂу҆красѝ времена̀ да́же до сконча́нїѧ, внегда̀ воспѣва́ти и҆̀мъ и҆́мѧ ст҃о́е є҆гѡ̀ и҆ ѿ ᲂу҆́тра гласи́ти во свѧти́лищи.
The Lord took away his sins, and exalted his horn for ever: he gave him a covenant of kings, and a throne of glory in Israel.
Κύριος ἀφεῖλε τὰς ἁμαρτίας αὐτοῦ καὶ ἀνύψωσεν εἰς αἰῶνα τὸ κέρας αὐτοῦ καὶ ἔδωκεν αὐτῷ διαθήκην βασιλέων καὶ θρόνον δόξης ἐν τῷ ᾿Ισραήλ. -
Гдⷭ҇ь ѿѧ̀ грѣхѝ є҆гѡ̀ и҆ вознесѐ во вѣ́къ ро́гъ є҆гѡ̀, и҆ дадѐ є҆мꙋ̀ завѣ́тъ ца́рскїй и҆ престо́лъ сла́вы во і҆и҃ли.
After him rose up a wise son, and for his sake he dwelt at large.
Μετὰ τοῦτον ἀνέστη υἱὸς ἐπιστήμων καὶ δι᾿ αὐτὸν κατέλυσεν ἐν πλατυσμῷ·
По се́мъ воста̀ сы́нъ разꙋми́ченъ и҆ сегѡ̀ ра́ди ѡ҆бита̀ въ простра́нствѣ:
Solomon reigned in a peaceable time, and was honoured; for God made all quiet round about him, that he might build an house in his name, and prepare his sanctuary for ever.
Σαλωμὼν ἐβασίλευσεν ἐν ἡμέραις εἰρήνης, ᾧ ὁ Θεὸς κατέπαυσε κυκλόθεν, ἵνα στήσῃ οἶκον ἐπ᾿ ὀνόματι αὐτοῦ καὶ ἑτοιμάσῃ ἁγίασμα εἰς τὸν αἰῶνα.
соломѡ́нъ воцари́сѧ во дне́хъ ми́ра, ꙗ҆́кѡ бг҃ъ препоко́и ѡ҆́крестъ, да сози́ждетъ до́мъ во и҆́мѧ є҆гѡ̀ и҆ да ᲂу҆гото́витъ свѧти́лище во вѣ́къ.
How wise wast thou in thy youth and, as a flood, filled with understanding!
ὡς ἐσοφίσθης ἐν νεότητί σου καὶ ἐνεπλήσθης ὡς ποταμὸς συνέσεως.
соломѡ́нъ воцари́сѧ во дне́хъ ми́ра, ꙗ҆́кѡ бг҃ъ препоко́и ѡ҆́крестъ, да сози́ждетъ до́мъ во и҆́мѧ є҆гѡ̀ и҆ да ᲂу҆гото́витъ свѧти́лище во вѣ́къ.
Thy soul covered the whole earth, and thou filledst it with dark parables.
γῆν ἐπεκάλυψεν ἡ ψυχή σου, καὶ ἐνέπλησας ἐν παραβολαῖς αἰνιγμάτων·
Ко́ль преꙋмꙋдри́лсѧ є҆сѝ во ю҆́ности свое́й и҆ напо́лнилсѧ є҆сѝ ꙗ҆́кѡ рѣка̀ ра́зꙋма.
Thy name went far unto the islands; and for thy peace thou wast beloved.
εἰς νήσους πόρρω ἀφίκετο τὸ ὄνομά σου, καὶ ἠγαπήθης ἐν τῇ εἰρήνῃ σου·
Зе́млю покры̀ дꙋша̀ твоѧ̀, и҆ и҆спо́лнилъ є҆сѝ при́тчами гада́нїй:
The countries marvelled at thee for thy songs, and proverbs, and parables, and interpretations.
ἐν ᾠδαῖς καὶ παροιμίαις καὶ παραβολαῖς καὶ ἐν ἑρμηνείαις ἀπεθαύμασάν σε χῶραι.
про́йде и҆́мѧ твоѐ во ѻ҆́стровы дале́че, и҆ возлю́бленъ бы́лъ є҆сѝ въ ми́рѣ твое́мъ.
By the name of the Lord God, which is called the Lord God of Israel, thou didst gather gold as tin and didst multiply silver as lead.
ἐν ὀνόματι Κυρίου τοῦ Θεοῦ τοῦ ἐπικεκλημένου Θεοῦ ᾿Ισραήλ, συνήγαγες ὡς κασσίτερον τὸ χρυσίον καὶ ὡς μόλυβδον ἐπλήθυνας ἀργύριον.
Въ пѣ́снехъ и҆ парїмїа́хъ и҆ во при́тчахъ и҆ во сказа́нїихъ ᲂу҆диви́шасѧ тебѣ̀ страны̑.
Thou didst bow thy loins unto women, and by thy body thou wast brought into subjection.
παρανέκλινας τὰς λαγόνας σου γυναιξὶ καὶ ἐνεξουσιάσθης ἐν τῷ σώματί σου·
собра́лъ є҆сѝ ꙗ҆́кѡ мѣ́дь зла́то и҆ ꙗ҆́кѡ ѻ҆́лово ᲂу҆мно́жилъ є҆сѝ сребро̀.
If you reread what is written of Solomon, you will find that he, though being extremely wise, “drew near to many women,” whereas the law of God says, “Do not have many wives, that they might make you commit fornication against your God.” Even he, though extremely wise and of great merit before God, was nonetheless deceived, because he gave himself to many women. I think that the many women refer to the many dogmas and the various philosophies of the peoples: wanting to know and investigate them, as a man rich in knowledge and wisdom, he could not keep himself within the rule of the divine law. He was seduced by the philosophy of Moab, which persuaded him to sacrifice to the idol of Moab, and likewise to that of the Ammonites and of the other peoples. It is said that he received many women, building temples and sacrificing to their idols. Therefore: it is a great thing and truly a work of God to mix with many dogmas as with women and nevertheless to not deviate from the rule of truth but to say firmly, “There are sixty queens, and eighty concubines and young maidens without number, but one alone is my dove, my perfect one, the only daughter of her mother, the only daughter of the one who bore her.”
Homilies on Numbers 20:3.3
Thou didst stain thy honour, and pollute thy seed: so that thou broughtest wrath upon thy children, and wast grieved for thy folly.
ἔδωκας μῶμον ἐν τῇ δόξῃ σου καὶ ἐβεβήλωσας τὸ σπέρμα σου ἐπαγαγεῖν ὀργὴν ἐπὶ τὰ τέκνα σου καὶ κατενύγην ἐπὶ τῇ ἀφροσύνῃ σου,
Вда́лъ є҆сѝ бока̀ твоѧ̑ жена́мъ и҆ порабо́тилсѧ є҆сѝ тѣ́ломъ твои́мъ:
So the kingdom was divided, and out of Ephraim ruled a rebellious kingdom.
γενέσθαι δίχα τυραννίδα καὶ ἐξ ᾿Εφραὶμ ἄρξαι βασιλείαν ἀπειθῆ.
да́лъ є҆сѝ поро́къ сла́вѣ твое́й и҆ ѡ҆скверни́лъ є҆сѝ сѣ́мѧ твоѐ, нанестѝ гнѣ́въ на ча̑да твоѧ̑, и҆ ᲂу҆мили́тисѧ ѡ҆ безꙋ́мїи твое́мъ: є҆́же раздѣли́тисѧ на дво́е ца́рствꙋ, и҆ ѿ є҆фре́ма нача́тисѧ ца́рствꙋ непокори́вꙋ.
But the Lord will never leave off his mercy, neither shall any of his works perish, neither will he abolish the posterity of his elect, and the seed of him that loveth him he will not take away: wherefore he gave a remnant unto Jacob, and out of him a root unto David.
ὁ δὲ Κύριος οὐ μὴ καταλίπῃ τὸ ἔλεος αὐτοῦ καὶ οὐ μὴ διαφθείρῃ ἀπὸ τῶν ἔργων αὐτοῦ, οὐδὲ μὴ ἐξαλείψῃ ἐκλεκτοῦ αὐτοῦ ἔκγονα καὶ σπέρμα τοῦ ἀγαπήσαντος αὐτὸν οὐ μὴ ἐξάρῃ· καὶ τῷ ᾿Ιακὼβ ἔδωκε κατάλειμμα καὶ τῷ Δαυὶδ ἐξ αὐτοῦ ρίζαν. -
Гдⷭ҇ь же не ѡ҆ста́витъ млⷭ҇ти своеѧ̀ и҆ не растли́тъ ѿ дѣ́лъ свои́хъ, нижѐ и҆стреби́тъ и҆збра́ннагѡ своегѡ̀ и҆сча́дїй и҆ сѣ́мѧ возлюби́вшагѡ є҆го̀ не и҆́зметъ.
Thus rested Solomon with his fathers, and of his seed he left behind him Roboam, even the foolishness of the people, and one that had no understanding, who turned away the people through his counsel. There was also Jeroboam the son of Nebat, who caused Israel to sin, and shewed Ephraim the way of sin:
Καὶ ἀνεπαύσατο Σαλωμὼν μετὰ τῶν πατέρων αὐτοῦ καὶ κατέλιπε μετ᾿ αὐτὸν ἐκ τοῦ σπέρματος αὐτοῦ λαοῦ ἀφροσύνην καὶ ἐλασσούμενον συνέσει, Ῥοβοάμ, ὃς ἀπέστησε λαὸν ἐκ βουλῆς αὐτοῦ, καὶ ῾Ιεροβοὰμ υἱὸν Ναβάτ, ὃς ἐξήμαρτε τὸν ᾿Ισραὴλ καὶ ἔδωκε τῷ ᾿Εφραὶμ ὁδὸν ἁμαρτίας.
И҆ почѝ соломѡ́нъ со ѻ҆тцы̑ свои́ми
And their sins were multiplied exceedingly, that they were driven out of the land.
καὶ ἐπληθύνθησαν αἱ ἁμαρτίαι αὐτῶν σφόδρα ἀποστῆσαι αὐτοὺς ἀπὸ τῆς γῆς αὐτῶν·
и҆ і҆еровоа́ма сы́на нава́това, и҆́же сотворѝ согрѣши́ти і҆и҃лю и҆ дадѐ є҆фре́мꙋ пꙋ́ть ко грѣхꙋ̀.
For they sought out all wickedness, till the vengeance came upon them.
καὶ πᾶσαν πονηρίαν ἐξεζήτησαν, ἕως ἐκδίκησις ἔλθῃ ἐπ᾿ αὐτούς.
и҆ всѧ́ко лꙋка́вство и҆зыска́ша, до́ндеже ме́сть прїи́де на нѧ̀.
This wicked innovation was perpetuated among the people of the ten tribes until the Lord enacted his revenge and they were deported to Assyria. When it says, “Until their justification came, and he freed them from all their sins,” I think it refers to the justification and freedom of our Savior, who at his coming frees and protects from every enemy those who have turned to faith in him and have been purified from all their sins through baptism in him.
On Ecclesiasticus 10:16
As is the fat taken away from the peace offering, so was David chosen out of the children of Israel.
ὥσπερ στέαρ ἀφωρισμένον ἀπὸ σωτηρίου, οὕτως Δαυὶδ ἀπὸ τῶν υἱῶν ᾿Ισραήλ.
Ꙗ҆́коже тꙋ́къ ѿлꙋче́нъ ѿ же́ртвы ми́рныѧ, та́кѡ даві́дъ ѿ сынѡ́въ і҆и҃левыхъ.