Read & explore together
Learn which kinds of shame to keep and which to reject
Sirach sorts shame carefully. Some shame is fitting because it exposes wrongdoing, while other shame is misplaced because it keeps people from truth, justice, honest dealings, and needed correction.
Understanding the passage
Listening in context
In this wisdom passage from the Catholic additional book of Sirach, the speaker addresses “my children”. He begins with instruction about hidden wisdom and hidden foolishness, then gives examples of actions that should bring shame, and finally names matters a person should not avoid through embarrassment.
Sirach 41:14–42:8Main takeaway
Sirach teaches that shame is useful when it restrains wrong, but harmful when it keeps a person from what is true, just, careful, and instructive.
Look closely at the words
Open a card to explore the full explanation and its Bible references.
01Wisdom should not stay hiddenThe passage opens with a call to “follow instruction in peace”. Hidden wisdom is compared with unseen treasure, and Sirach asks what benefit there is in either.
Explanation
The passage opens with a call to “follow instruction in peace”. Hidden wisdom is compared with unseen treasure, and Sirach asks what benefit there is in either. He then contrasts hiding foolishness with hiding wisdom, making the point that wisdom is meant to be brought into use, not buried away.
02Not every kind of shame is goodSirach says plainly that it is not good to retain every kind of shame, and that not everything is approved by all in good faith.
Explanation
Sirach says plainly that it is not good to retain every kind of shame, and that not everything is approved by all in good faith. He then names wrongs that should bring shame: sexual immorality, lying, offences, iniquity, unjust dealing, theft, and shame “in regard of the truth of God and his covenant”.
03Shame can guard conduct and speechThe list continues with failures in courtesy, harmful looking, taking what belongs to others, meddling sexually, insulting after giving, repeating what was heard, and revealing secrets.
Explanation
The list continues with failures in courtesy, harmful looking, taking what belongs to others, meddling sexually, insulting after giving, repeating what was heard, and revealing secrets. Sirach concludes that being ashamed of such things means being ashamed of the right things, with favour in the sight of others.
04Do not save face by doing wrongThe next turn is explicit: “Don’t be ashamed of these things, and don’t sin to save face.”
Explanation
The next turn is explicit: “Don’t be ashamed of these things, and don’t sin to save face.” Sirach includes the law of the Most High and his covenant, judgment that does justice, settling accounts, exact weights and scales, and ordinary bargaining. These are not to be neglected because someone feels embarrassed.
05Careful records and difficult household sayingsSirach 42:5-7 includes severe household-control sayings about children, an enslaved person, a wife, locking things up, and recording transactions by number, weight, and writing.
Explanation
Sirach 42:5-7 includes severe household-control sayings about children, an enslaved person, a wife, locking things up, and recording transactions by number, weight, and writing. The passage presents these instructions as part of Sirach’s counsel. It ends by saying one should not be ashamed to instruct the unwise, the foolish, or an older person disputing with the young.
Questions to explore
Pause, look back at the verses and talk together.
01How does Sirach contrast hidden wisdom and hidden foolishness?
Notice what he says about hidden wisdom, unseen treasure, and which thing is better to hide.
02What kinds of actions does Sirach say should bring shame?
Trace the examples across the list and include both actions against others and sins of speech.
03What things should a person not avoid out of embarrassment?
List the matters tied to God’s law, justice, honest accounts, accurate measures, written records, and instruction.
Read the Bible passages
World English Bible ClassicScripture quotation · Public domain
Sirach 41:14–24
14My children, follow instruction in peace. But wisdom that is hidden and a treasure that is not seen, what benefit is in them both?
15Better is a man who hides his foolishness than a man who hides his wisdom.
16Therefore show respect for my words; for it is not good to retain every kind of shame. Not everything is approved by all in good faith.
17Be ashamed of sexual immorality before father and mother, of a lie before a prince and a mighty man,
18of an offense before a judge and ruler, of iniquity before the congregation and the people, of unjust dealing before a partner and friend,
19and of theft in the place where you sojourn. Be ashamed in regard of the truth of God and his covenant, of leaning on your elbow at dinner, of contemptuous behavior in the matter of giving and taking,
20of silence before those who greet you, of looking at a woman who is a prostitute,
21of turning away your face from a kinsman, of taking away a portion or a gift, of gazing at a woman who has a husband,
22of meddling with his maid—and don’t come near her bed, of abusive speech to friends—and after you have given, don’t insult,
23of repeating and speaking what you have heard, and of revealing of secrets.
24So you will be ashamed of the right things and find favor in the sight of every man.
Sirach 42:1–8
1Don’t be ashamed of these things, and don’t sin to save face:
2of the law of the Most High and his covenant, of judgment to do justice to the ungodly,
3of reckoning with a partner and with travellers, of a gift from the inheritance of friends,
4of exactness of scales and weights, of getting much or little,
5of bargaining dealing with merchants, of frequent correction of children, and of making the back of an evil slave to bleed.
6A seal is good where an evil wife is. Where there are many hands, lock things up.
7Whatever you hand over, let it be by number and weight. In giving and receiving, let all be in writing.
8Don’t be ashamed to instruct the unwise and foolish, and one of extreme old age who contends with those who are young. So you will be well instructed indeed and approved in the sight of every living man.