Read & explore together
Humility accepts the limits of knowledge
Sirach 3:17–29 teaches humble conduct in work and in status. It shows that those who are greater should humble themselves more, and it warns that pride, conceit and stubbornness turn people away from wisdom.
Understanding the passage
Listening in context
This passage comes from Sirach, a wisdom book in the Catholic additional books. The speaker addresses “My son” and gives instruction in short sayings. The teaching moves from humility in one’s business and place, to limits in what one should seek, to warnings about conceit and stubbornness, and ends with the prudent heart understanding a proverb and a wise man desiring a listener’s ear.
Sirach 3:17–29Main takeaway
This passage teaches that humility accepts what has been commanded and refuses the pride that leads judgment astray.
Look closely at the words
Open a card to explore the full explanation and its Bible references.
01Go on in humilityThe passage begins with everyday conduct: “go on with your business in humility”. The point is not to stop one’s work, but to carry it out humbly.
Explanation
The passage begins with everyday conduct: “go on with your business in humility”. The point is not to stop one’s work, but to carry it out humbly. It then says that the greater a person is, the more that person should humble himself. This humility is linked with favour before the Lord, and the Lord is glorified by those who are lowly.
02Do not reach beyond your strengthThe next sayings set limits. The reader is told not to seek things that are too hard or search out things above one’s strength.
Explanation
The next sayings set limits. The reader is told not to seek things that are too hard or search out things above one’s strength. Instead, attention should be given to what has been commanded. The passage adds that there is no need for secret things, and warns against being overly busy in tasks beyond oneself.
03Conceit makes judgment slipSirach explains the danger of ignoring these limits. Conceit has led many astray, and evil opinion has caused judgment to slip.
Explanation
Sirach explains the danger of ignoring these limits. Conceit has led many astray, and evil opinion has caused judgment to slip. Then comes a short comparison: there is no light without eyes, and there is no wisdom without knowledge. The passage ties wisdom to knowledge, while showing that conceit damages judgment.
04Stubbornness brings troubleThe final verses warn about a stubborn heart. It will do badly at the end and be burdened with troubles.
Explanation
The final verses warn about a stubborn heart. It will do badly at the end and be burdened with troubles. A person who loves danger will perish in it, and the sinner will heap sin upon sins. Pride is pictured as rooted wickedness with no healing, while the prudent heart understands a proverb and the wise man desires a listener’s ear.
Questions to explore
Pause, look back at the verses and talk together.
01How does the passage connect greatness with humility?
Look at the command that the greater you are, the more you should humble yourself, and notice its connection with favour before the Lord.
02What does the writer say a person should think about instead of secret or overly hard matters?
Notice the contrast between things that are commanded and things that are too hard, above your strength, or secret.
03What contrast appears between conceit and prudence in these verses?
Compare the lines about being led astray and judgment slipping with the prudent heart understanding a proverb and the wise man desiring a listener’s ear.
Read the Bible passages
World English Bible ClassicScripture quotation · Public domain
Sirach 3:17–18
17My son, go on with your business in humility; so you will be loved by an acceptable man.
18The greater you are, humble yourself the more, and you will find favor before the Lord.
Sirach 3:20–29
20For the power of the Lord is great, and he is glorified by those who are lowly.
21Don’t seek things that are too hard for you, and don’t search out things that are above your strength.
22Think about the things that have been commanded you, for you have no need of the things that are secret.
23Don’t be overly busy in tasks that are beyond you, for more things are shown to you than men can understand.
24For the conceit of many has led them astray. Evil opinion has caused their judgment to slip.
25There is no light without eyes. There is no wisdom without knowledge.
26A stubborn heart will do badly at the end. He who loves danger will perish in it.
27A stubborn heart will be burdened with troubles. The sinner will heap sin upon sins.
28The calamity of the proud has no healing, for a weed of wickedness has taken root in him.
29The heart of the prudent will understand a proverb. A wise man desires the ear of a listener.
Source passages
Source: Sirach 3 ↗Translation and source notes
Some verse numbers are represented by textual notes in World English Bible Classic. The reading below follows the text printed in the main passage.