Read & explore together
An invitation to the house of instruction
Sirach 51:23–30 is a direct appeal to people who need wisdom. The speaker invites them to learn, describes their need, and urges them to accept instruction with effort, joy, and trust in God’s timing.
Understanding the passage
Listening in context
In this passage from the Catholic additional books, the speaker calls the uneducated to the house of instruction. He asks why they remain lacking and thirsty, invites them to receive instruction, speaks of yoke and labour, then ends with mercy, praise, work, and reward.
Sirach 51:23–30Main takeaway
Sirach 51:23–30 calls people to seek instruction eagerly, accept its discipline, and keep working in hope of God’s mercy and reward.
Look closely at the words
Open a card to explore the full explanation and its Bible references.
01An open invitation to learnersThe passage begins with a welcome: “Draw near to me.” The invitation is for “all you who are uneducated”, so it is addressed to people who know they still need teaching.
Explanation
The passage begins with a welcome: “Draw near to me.” The invitation is for “all you who are uneducated”, so it is addressed to people who know they still need teaching. “Live in the house of instruction” pictures instruction as something to enter and remain in, not merely sample for a moment.
02Lacking, thirsty, and called to receiveThe speaker asks why the hearers are “lacking in these things” and why their souls are “very thirsty”.
Explanation
The speaker asks why the hearers are “lacking in these things” and why their souls are “very thirsty”. The language points to real need. Then he says, “Get her for yourselves without money.” The passage presents instruction as something offered to those in need, using the speaker’s own image of a free invitation.
03A yoke that teaches and can be found“Put your neck under the yoke” is a strong picture of accepting guidance. The line explains itself by adding, “let your soul receive instruction.”
Explanation
“Put your neck under the yoke” is a strong picture of accepting guidance. The line explains itself by adding, “let your soul receive instruction.” This is not passive listening but willing acceptance. The encouragement follows immediately: “She is near to find.” Instruction is presented as accessible, not distant.
04Little labour, much rest, then reward in his timeThe sequence stays deliberate. The speaker says he “labored just a little” and found “much rest”.
Explanation
The sequence stays deliberate. The speaker says he “labored just a little” and found “much rest”. He then urges seeking instruction like costly treasure. After that come rejoicing in his mercy and praising him. Finally, the hearers are told to work before the time comes, with reward given “in his time”.
Questions to explore
Pause, look back at the verses and talk together.
01Who is invited at the start, and what kind of place are they told to live in?
Notice the people named in the invitation and the picture of the “house of instruction.”
02How does the passage describe the hearers’ need before it speaks about getting instruction?
Look for the words about lacking and thirsting, then read the next invitation carefully.
03What actions are urged near the end, and what result is named for later?
Trace the commands about receiving instruction and working, then note what happens “in his time.”
Read the Bible passage
World English Bible ClassicScripture quotation · Public domain
Sirach 51:23–30
23Draw near to me, all you who are uneducated, and live in the house of instruction.
24Why therefore are you all lacking in these things, and your souls are very thirsty?
25I opened my mouth and spoke, “Get her for yourselves without money.”
26Put your neck under the yoke, and let your soul receive instruction. She is near to find.
27See with your eyes how I labored just a little and found for myself much rest.
28Get instruction with a great sum of silver, and gain much gold by her.
29May your soul rejoice in his mercy, and may you all not be put to shame in praising him.
30Work your work before the time comes, and in his time he will give you your reward.