Read & explore together
The teacher urges discernment in giving aid
Sirach 12:1–7 is wisdom about giving with care. The teacher does not praise thoughtless aid, but tells the reader to consider whom they are helping and what their help may support.
Understanding the passage
Listening in context
In this passage from Sirach, one of the Catholic additional books, the speaker gives a series of short instructions about doing good, giving alms, receiving thanks, and reward from the Most High. The sayings repeatedly contrast the godly, the lowly, and the sinner when deciding how to give.
Sirach 12:1–7Main takeaway
This passage teaches that, in its own wisdom framework, generosity should be guided by discernment about whether help supports good or strengthens evil.
Look closely at the words
Open a card to explore the full explanation and its Bible references.
01Know whom you helpThe opening instruction joins doing good with knowing the person who receives it. In this passage, generosity is not presented as automatic or careless.
Explanation
The opening instruction joins doing good with knowing the person who receives it. In this passage, generosity is not presented as automatic or careless. The mention of thanks adds that the teacher is thinking about outcomes as well as intentions. Wise giving, here, includes attention to the recipient.
02Good to the godlyVerse 2 directs the reader to do good to a godly man. It also says that reward may still come even if the recipient does not repay the kindness.
Explanation
Verse 2 directs the reader to do good to a godly man. It also says that reward may still come even if the recipient does not repay the kindness. The source of that reward is named as the Most High, so the value of the act is not limited to human gratitude or return.
03A strong contrast in givingThe next lines sharpen the contrast. One verse says no good comes to the person who continues to do evil, and another gives the direct instruction, “Give to the godly man, and don’t help the sinner.”
Explanation
The next lines sharpen the contrast. One verse says no good comes to the person who continues to do evil, and another gives the direct instruction, “Give to the godly man, and don’t help the sinner.” In this passage, giving is treated as a moral decision, not only a practical one.
04When help may be misusedVerse 5 adds a caution about the effect of a gift. The reader is told to do good to one who is lowly, yet to keep back bread from an ungodly man lest that provision be used to overpower the giver.
Explanation
Verse 5 adds a caution about the effect of a gift. The reader is told to do good to one who is lowly, yet to keep back bread from an ungodly man lest that provision be used to overpower the giver. The warning is that help can return as greater harm.
05The warning repeatedThe final verses ground the advice in what this passage says about the Most High and sinners, then repeat the main instruction almost word for word.
Explanation
The final verses ground the advice in what this passage says about the Most High and sinners, then repeat the main instruction almost word for word. That repetition gives emphasis. The teacher wants the reader to remember this distinction and to practise careful judgement in acts of aid.
Questions to explore
Pause, look back at the verses and talk together.
01What two ideas are linked together in Sirach 12:1?
Look for the way the verse connects doing good with knowing to whom the good is done.
02According to Sirach 12:2, where may reward come from if the person helped does not repay?
Read the second half of the verse and name the source of reward given there.
03What danger does Sirach 12:5 describe in giving bread to an ungodly man?
Notice the warning that the gift could be used against the giver and bring back greater evil.
Read the Bible passage
World English Bible ClassicScripture quotation · Public domain
Sirach 12:1–7
1If you do good, know to whom you do it, and your good deeds will have thanks.
2Do good to a godly man, and you will find a reward— if not from him, then from the Most High.
3No good will come to him who continues to do evil, nor to him who gives no alms.
4Give to the godly man, and don’t help the sinner.
5Do good to one who is lowly. Don’t give to an ungodly man. Keep back his bread, and don’t give it to him, lest he subdue you with it; for you would receive twice as much evil for all the good you would have done to him.
6For the Most High also hates sinners, and will repay vengeance to the ungodly.
7Give to the good man, and don’t help the sinner.