Read & explore together
The teacher fears public shame and household sexual disorder
This wisdom passage names severe fears about slander and accusation, then gives sharp warnings about jealousy, drunkenness, and sexual misconduct. Its vivid images show disgrace becoming visible and painful rather than staying hidden.
Understanding the passage
Listening in context
In Sirach 26:5–12, the speaker says his heart feared three named things and that he made supplication concerning a fourth kind, without naming it in these verses. The passage then continues as wisdom sayings, using comparisons and warning images about speech, shame, watchfulness, and sexual behaviour.
Sirach 26:5–12Main takeaway
This passage uses strong wisdom images to warn that slander, exposed shame, and sexual wrongdoing bring grief and serious harm.
Look closely at the words
Open a card to explore the full explanation and its Bible references.
01Three named fearsThe speaker says his heart was afraid of three things: “the slander of a city”, “the assembly of a mob”, and “a false accusation”.
Explanation
The speaker says his heart was afraid of three things: “the slander of a city”, “the assembly of a mob”, and “a false accusation”. He adds that he made supplication concerning a fourth kind, but these verses do not name it. The three listed troubles are called “more grievous than death”.
02Jealousy made publicThe next saying turns to jealousy. It calls a woman jealous of another woman “a grief of heart and sorrow”.
Explanation
The next saying turns to jealousy. It calls a woman jealous of another woman “a grief of heart and sorrow”. The damage is not only inward, because “Her tongue-lashing makes it known to all.” The verse connects jealousy with painful speech that becomes openly known.
03Strain, danger, and uncovered shameVerse 7 compares a wicked woman to “a chafing yoke”, an image of irritation and burden, and says taking hold of her is like grasping “a scorpion”, an image of danger.
Explanation
Verse 7 compares a wicked woman to “a chafing yoke”, an image of irritation and burden, and says taking hold of her is like grasping “a scorpion”, an image of danger. Verse 8 adds that a drunken woman causes “great wrath” and “will not cover her own shame”, stressing exposed disgrace.
04Warnings about sexual misconductThe final verses warn about fornication and describe it with visible signs and forceful pictures.
Explanation
The final verses warn about fornication and describe it with visible signs and forceful pictures. The passage mentions lifted eyes and eyelids, calls for strict watch on a headstrong daughter, and warns about an impudent eye. Its closing images describe indiscriminate sexual availability in vivid wisdom language.
Questions to explore
Pause, look back at the verses and talk together.
01Which three troubles are listed as “more grievous than death”?
Read the exact wording of the verse and name the three listed fears: “the slander of a city”, “the assembly of a mob”, and “a false accusation”.
02How does verse 6 show jealousy moving from the heart into public view?
Notice both parts of the saying: it brings “grief of heart and sorrow”, and “Her tongue-lashing makes it known to all.”
03What repeated idea links verses 8 to 12?
Look for words and images about shame being uncovered, conduct being visible, and behaviour that is not restrained.
Read the Bible passage
World English Bible ClassicScripture quotation · Public domain
Sirach 26:5–12
5Of three things my heart was afraid, and concerning the fourth kind I made supplication: The slander of a city, the assembly of a mob, and a false accusation. All these are more grievous than death.
6A grief of heart and sorrow is a woman who is jealous of another woman. Her tongue-lashing makes it known to all.
7A wicked woman is like a chafing yoke. He who takes hold of her is like one who grasps a scorpion.
8A drunken woman causes great wrath. She will not cover her own shame.
9The fornication of a woman is in the lifting up of her eyes; it will be known by her eyelids.
10Keep strict watch on a headstrong daughter, lest she find liberty for herself, and use it.
11Watch out for an impudent eye, and don’t be surprised if it sins against you.
12She will open her mouth like a thirsty traveller, and drink from every water that is near. She will sit down at every post, and open her quiver to any arrow.