Read & explore together
Honor God’s ministers and accompany people in need
Sirach 7:29–36 gathers short commands about honouring God, supporting his ministers, helping the poor, and staying close to people in grief or sickness. The passage joins worship of God with practical care for others.
Understanding the passage
Listening in context
This part of Sirach, a Catholic additional book, speaks in wisdom sayings and direct instruction. In these verses, the reader is told to fear the Lord, honour priests, give what is due, help the poor, show grace, mourn with mourners, visit the sick, and remember eternity.
Sirach 7:29–36Main takeaway
This passage teaches that reverence for the Lord should be seen in both honouring his ministers and showing timely mercy to people in need.
Look closely at the words
Open a card to explore the full explanation and its Bible references.
01Revere the Lord and his priestsThe passage begins with whole-hearted reverence: “Fear the Lord with all your soul” and “revere his priests.”
Explanation
The passage begins with whole-hearted reverence: “Fear the Lord with all your soul” and “revere his priests.” It then adds love for “him who made you” and says, “Don’t forsake his ministers.” In this wisdom teaching, honour for God is closely linked with respect for those who serve in his worship.
02Give what is due in worshipSirach repeats, “Fear the Lord and honor the priest,” then names portions to be given: “the first fruits,” “the trespass offering,” “the gift of the shoulders,” and other holy gifts.
Explanation
Sirach repeats, “Fear the Lord and honor the priest,” then names portions to be given: “the first fruits,” “the trespass offering,” “the gift of the shoulders,” and other holy gifts. The point in these verses is not random generosity but giving what is owed in connection with worship, “even as it is commanded you.”
03Stretch out your hand to the poorThe focus then turns to the poor. “Stretch out your hand to the poor man” describes active help, not distant concern.
Explanation
The focus then turns to the poor. “Stretch out your hand to the poor man” describes active help, not distant concern. The verse connects this with blessing: “that your blessing may be complete.” Care for people in need stands alongside honouring God, showing that worship and mercy belong together in this passage.
04Stay present in grief, sickness, and daily choicesThe final sayings urge grace and presence. The reader is told not to withhold grace for the dead, not to avoid those who weep, to mourn with mourners, and to visit the sick promptly.
Explanation
The final sayings urge grace and presence. The reader is told not to withhold grace for the dead, not to avoid those who weep, to mourn with mourners, and to visit the sick promptly. The last line widens the view: “In all your words, remember eternity,” shaping everyday speech and conduct.
Questions to explore
Pause, look back at the verses and talk together.
01How does this passage connect honouring God with honouring priests and ministers?
Look at the way the commands about fearing the Lord sit beside commands to revere priests and not forsake his ministers.
02What actions toward people in need are named directly in these verses?
List the verbs in the text, such as stretching out your hand, not avoiding, mourning with, and visiting.
03What does the final instruction add to the rest of the passage?
Notice that it speaks about “all your words” and remembering eternity, which gives a wider frame for the earlier commands.
Read the Bible passage
World English Bible ClassicScripture quotation · Public domain
Sirach 7:29–36
29Fear the Lord with all your soul; and revere his priests.
30With all your strength love him who made you. Don’t forsake his ministers.
31Fear the Lord and honor the priest. Give him his portion, even as it is commanded you: the first fruits, the trespass offering, the gift of the shoulders, the sacrifice of sanctification, and the first fruits of holy things.
32Also stretch out your hand to the poor man, that your blessing may be complete.
33A gift has grace in the sight of every living man. Don’t withhold grace for a dead man.
34Don’t avoid those who weep, and mourn with those who mourn.
35Don’t be slow to visit a sick man, for by such things you will gain love.
36In all your words, remember eternity, and you will never sin.