Read & explore together
Flee wrongdoing and heed correction
Sirach 21:1–10 gives wise instruction in short sayings. It urges a person to stop sinning, ask forgiveness, accept reproof and notice where the path of wrongdoing leads.
Understanding the passage
Listening in context
This passage from Sirach speaks as advice to “my son”. It begins with personal sin and forgiveness, then uses strong comparisons for iniquity. It also speaks about violence, arrogance, the poor man’s prayer, hating reproof, being mighty in tongue, building with other men’s money and the end of sinners.
Sirach 21:1–10Main takeaway
This passage warns that sin brings danger and ruin, and it calls for repentance, reverence and understanding instead of continuing on the sinner’s way.
Look closely at the words
Open a card to explore the full explanation and its Bible references.
01Stop and seek forgivenessThe first saying speaks plainly: if someone has sinned, he must not keep doing it, and he should ask forgiveness for past sins.
Explanation
The first saying speaks plainly: if someone has sinned, he must not keep doing it, and he should ask forgiveness for past sins. Then sin is compared to a snake. The point is urgency. A person should not move closer to sin, because the picture given is of danger that bites and destroys.
02Wrongdoing wounds and wastesIniquity is compared to a two-edged sword, and its stroke is said to have no healing. The passage then says terror and violence waste away riches, and the arrogant man’s house is laid waste.
Explanation
Iniquity is compared to a two-edged sword, and its stroke is said to have no healing. The passage then says terror and violence waste away riches, and the arrogant man’s house is laid waste. These sayings present evil as deeply damaging, not safe or profitable.
03God hears, and reproof mattersSirach says the poor man’s supplication reaches the ears of God, and his judgment comes speedily.
Explanation
Sirach says the poor man’s supplication reaches the ears of God, and his judgment comes speedily. It then contrasts two ways: hating reproof belongs on the sinner’s path, while fearing the Lord is linked with repenting in the heart. The contrast is between resisting correction and turning back.
04Words and choices reveal a pathThe one mighty in tongue is known far away, but the understanding person knows when he slips.
Explanation
The one mighty in tongue is known far away, but the understanding person knows when he slips. Building a house with other men’s money is pictured as gathering stones for one’s own tomb. Wicked people together are like tow near fire, and the sinner’s stony way ends in the pit of Hades.
Questions to explore
Pause, look back at the verses and talk together.
01What do the pictures of the snake and the two-edged sword add to the command not to keep sinning?
Use the images in the passage to describe how dangerous and damaging sin is presented to be.
02How does Sirach 21:6 contrast the person who hates reproof with the person who fears the Lord?
State the two responses and the two directions named in the verse.
03Which examples in verses 7 to 10 show that a person’s way can be recognised by speech and actions?
List the examples the passage gives and note the outcome or picture attached to each one.
Read the Bible passage
World English Bible ClassicScripture quotation · Public domain
Sirach 21:1–10
1My son, have you sinned? Do it no more; and ask forgiveness for your past sins.
2Flee from sin as from the face of a snake; for if you go near, it will bite you. Its teeth are like lion’s teeth, slaying people’s souls.
3All iniquity is as a two-edged sword. Its stroke has no healing.
4Terror and violence will waste away riches. So the house of an arrogant man will be laid waste.
5Supplication from a poor man’s mouth reaches to the ears of God, and his judgment comes speedily.
6One who hates reproof is in the path of the sinner. He who fears the Lord will repent in his heart.
7He who is mighty in tongue is known far away; but the man of understanding knows when he slips.
8He who builds his house with other men’s money is like one who gathers stones for his own tomb.
9The congregation of wicked men is as a bundle of tow with a flame of fire at the end of them.
10The way of sinners is paved with stones; and at the end of it is the pit of Hades.