Read & explore together
Obedience, generosity, and offerings belong together
Sirach 35:1–11 links worship with obedience, mercy, and giving. The passage speaks about offerings at the altar, but it also describes everyday faithfulness, turning from evil, and generous gifts as part of honouring the Lord.
Understanding the passage
Listening in context
In this wisdom passage from the Catholic additional books, Sirach connects keeping the law and heeding commandments with offerings. The passage then speaks of kindness, alms, and departing from wickedness, before urging generous giving with first fruits, tithes, gladness, and trust that the Lord repays.
Sirach 35:1–11Main takeaway
Sirach 35:1–11 teaches that honouring the Lord includes obedient conduct, mercy towards others, and generous giving offered gladly.
Look closely at the words
Open a card to explore the full explanation and its Bible references.
01Obedience belongs with worshipThe passage begins by joining obedience and sacrifice. Keeping the law multiplies offerings, and heeding the commandments is compared with sacrificing a peace offering.
Explanation
The passage begins by joining obedience and sacrifice. Keeping the law multiplies offerings, and heeding the commandments is compared with sacrificing a peace offering. Sirach presents worship as more than a ritual act by itself. Obedience is treated as deeply connected with what is offered to the Lord.
02Kindness, alms, and turning away from evilSirach then names acts of mercy and repentance in sacrificial language. Returning a kindness is like offering fine flour, and giving alms is like a thank offering.
Explanation
Sirach then names acts of mercy and repentance in sacrificial language. Returning a kindness is like offering fine flour, and giving alms is like a thank offering. Departing from wickedness pleases the Lord, and departing from unrighteousness is called an atoning sacrifice. These actions matter in the passage’s picture of worship.
03Do not come emptyThe warning not to appear before the Lord empty gives these instructions weight. Sirach immediately adds that all these things are done because of the commandment.
Explanation
The warning not to appear before the Lord empty gives these instructions weight. Sirach immediately adds that all these things are done because of the commandment. In this passage, giving and obedient action are not optional extras. They are presented as fitting responses to what the commandment requires.
04Give generously and gladlyThe closing lines describe acceptable giving. The offering of the righteous enriches the altar and is not forgotten.
Explanation
The closing lines describe acceptable giving. The offering of the righteous enriches the altar and is not forgotten. Sirach says to glorify the Lord with generosity, not reducing first fruits, and to dedicate a tithe with gladness and a cheerful countenance. It also says to give generously according to what has been given, and that the Lord repays and will repay sevenfold.
Questions to explore
Pause, look back at the verses and talk together.
01Which actions in this passage are spoken of like offerings or sacrifices?
Look for the actions compared with a peace offering, fine flour, a thank offering, and an atoning sacrifice.
02How does Sirach connect the warning not to come empty with the commandment?
Read the warning in one verse and then the reason given in the next verse.
03What words show the way gifts should be given?
Notice the passage’s words about generosity, cheerful countenance, gladness, and giving according to what has been given.
Read the Bible passage
World English Bible ClassicScripture quotation · Public domain
Sirach 35:1–11
1He who keeps the law multiplies offerings. He who heeds the commandments sacrifices a peace offering.
2He who returns a kindness offers fine flour. He who gives alms sacrifices a thank offering.
3To depart from wickedness pleases the Lord. To depart from unrighteousness is an atoning sacrifice.
4See that you don’t appear in the presence of the Lord empty.
5For all these things are done because of the commandment.
6The offering of the righteous enriches the altar. The sweet fragrance of it is before the Most High.
7The sacrifice of a righteous man is acceptable. It won’t be forgotten.
8Glorify the Lord with generosity. Don’t reduce the first fruits of your hands.
9In every gift show a cheerful countenance, And dedicate your tithe with gladness.
10Give to the Most High according as he has given. As your hand has found, give generously.
11For the Lord repays, and he will repay you sevenfold.