Read & explore together
The author commends his written instruction
These closing verses of Sirach let the writer speak plainly about his book. He says what he has written, describes the person who benefits from it, and states the result of doing these teachings.
Understanding the passage
Listening in context
In Sirach 50:27–29, the speaker identifies himself as Jesus son of Sirach Eleazar of Jerusalem. He says this book contains instruction of understanding and knowledge. Then he describes the blessed person as one who exercises these things, lays them up in the heart, becomes wise, and is guided by the Lord’s light.
Sirach 50:27–29Main takeaway
This passage presents wisdom as written instruction that brings blessing, wisdom and strength to the one who keeps and does it under the Lord’s guidance.
Look closely at the words
Open a card to explore the full explanation and its Bible references.
01The writer identifies himself and his bookThe first verse is direct and personal. The writer says, “I have written in this book the instruction of understanding and knowledge”.
Explanation
The first verse is direct and personal. The writer says, “I have written in this book the instruction of understanding and knowledge”. He names himself as “Jesus, the son of Sirach Eleazar, of Jerusalem”. He also says he “poured forth wisdom” out of his heart. The verse states both the book’s purpose and the writer’s identity.
02The blessed person receives these teachingsThe next verse shifts from the writer to the reader. “Blessed is he who will exercise these things.”
Explanation
The next verse shifts from the writer to the reader. “Blessed is he who will exercise these things.” The verse also says, “He who lays them up in his heart will become wise.” In the passage itself, blessing and wisdom are connected with exercising these teachings and storing them in the heart.
03Doing them brings strength under the Lord’s lightThe final verse moves on to the result: “if he does them, he will be strong in all things”.
Explanation
The final verse moves on to the result: “if he does them, he will be strong in all things”. The reason given is clear: “the light of the Lord is his guide.” The passage does not present strength as separate from the Lord, but connects doing these teachings with the Lord’s guiding light.
Questions to explore
Pause, look back at the verses and talk together.
01How does the writer describe what he has written in this book?
Use the exact words in Sirach 50:27 about instruction, understanding and knowledge.
02What two things does Sirach 50:28 say about the person who becomes wise?
Look for the actions named in the verse: exercising these things and laying them up in the heart.
03What reason does Sirach 50:29 give for a person’s strength?
The answer is in the final clause, which says the Lord’s light is his guide.
Read the Bible passage
World English Bible ClassicScripture quotation · Public domain
Sirach 50:27–29
27I have written in this book the instruction of understanding and knowledge, I Jesus, the son of Sirach Eleazar, of Jerusalem, who out of his heart poured forth wisdom.
28Blessed is he who will exercise these things. He who lays them up in his heart will become wise.
29For if he does them, he will be strong in all things, for the light of the Lord is his guide.