Read & explore together
Generosity and advocacy answer the vulnerable
This wisdom passage links generosity with how a person treats vulnerable people. Giving matters, but so do timing, speech, humility, and action when someone is poor, distressed, or wronged.
Understanding the passage
Listening in context
A speaker addresses “My son” with short sayings and direct commands. The passage begins with almsgiving and repaying good, then turns to the poor, the hungry, those in affliction, a person asking for help, the wronged, the fatherless, and their mother.
Sirach 3:30–4:10Main takeaway
In this passage, generosity is shown by prompt help, humble words, and active care for vulnerable people.
Look closely at the words
Open a card to explore the full explanation and its Bible references.
01Generosity is treated as powerfulThe passage opens with two sayings. Water quenches fire, and almsgiving is said to make atonement for sins.
Explanation
The passage opens with two sayings. Water quenches fire, and almsgiving is said to make atonement for sins. Then the one who repays good turns is described as someone who will find support in a time of falling. Generosity is presented as weighty and worth remembering.
02Do not delay help to those in needThe next instructions are urgent. The poor must not be deprived of their living, and needy eyes must not be kept waiting.
Explanation
The next instructions are urgent. The poor must not be deprived of their living, and needy eyes must not be kept waiting. The speaker also says not to make a hungry soul sorrowful, not to provoke someone in distress, and not to put off giving to a needy person.
03Do not turn away from a pleaA suppliant in affliction is not to be rejected, and a poor man is not to be avoided. The warning grows stronger: if the suffering person curses in bitterness, the one who made him hears his supplication.
Explanation
A suppliant in affliction is not to be rejected, and a poor man is not to be avoided. The warning grows stronger: if the suffering person curses in bitterness, the one who made him hears his supplication. The text treats disregard for the vulnerable as serious.
04Humility, listening, and supportThe closing verses call for a humble posture in public life and careful attention to the poor.
Explanation
The closing verses call for a humble posture in public life and careful attention to the poor. The listener is to answer with peaceful words, deliver the wronged, not hesitate in giving judgment, and be as a father to the fatherless and like a husband to their mother.
Questions to explore
Pause, look back at the verses and talk together.
01Which commands in this passage show that help should be prompt, not delayed?
Look for lines about not making needy eyes wait and not putting off giving.
02What warning is given about turning away from a person who asks?
Notice what the bitter person may do and who hears his supplication.
03How does the passage describe care that goes beyond money?
Find the parts about peaceful words, giving judgment, and being as family to vulnerable people.
Read the Bible passages
World English Bible ClassicScripture quotation · Public domain
Sirach 3:30–31
30Water will quench a flaming fire; almsgiving will make atonement for sins.
31He who repays good turns is mindful of that which comes afterward. In the time of his falling he will find a support.
Sirach 4:1–10
1My son, don’t deprive the poor of his living. Don’t make the needy eyes wait long.
2Don’t make a hungry soul sorrowful, or provoke a man in his distress.
3Don’t add more trouble to a heart that is provoked. Don’t put off giving to him who is in need.
4Don’t reject a suppliant in his affliction. Don’t turn your face away from a poor man.
5Don’t turn your eye away from one who asks. Give no occasion to a man to curse you.
6For if he curses you in the bitterness of his soul, he who made him will hear his supplication.
7Endear yourself to the assembly. Bow your head to a great man.
8Incline your ear to a poor man. Answer him with peaceful words in humility.
9Deliver him who is wronged from the hand of him who wrongs him; Don’t be hesitant in giving judgment.
10Be as a father to the fatherless, and like a husband to their mother. So you will be as a son of the Most High, and he will love you more than your mother does.