Read & explore together
Ungodliness stains descendants, but a good name lasts
Sirach 41:5–13 is a wisdom warning about ungodliness and its lasting effects. It contrasts the shame linked with sin and the lasting value of a good name, urging careful attention to how a person lives before God.
Understanding the passage
Listening in context
In this part of Sirach, the writer speaks in short, weighty sayings. The passage addresses the ungodly directly, speaks about the effect of their ways on children and reputation, and ends by valuing a good name above great wealth. This is from the Catholic additional books.
Sirach 41:5–13Main takeaway
This passage teaches that ungodliness brings disgrace, but a good name shaped by a good life has lasting value.
Look closely at the words
Open a card to explore the full explanation and its Bible references.
01Disgrace reaching the next generationThe passage begins with hard sayings about sinners’ children. It says they share in disgrace and loss because they are connected with ungodly households.
Explanation
The passage begins with hard sayings about sinners’ children. It says they share in disgrace and loss because they are connected with ungodly households. Verse 7 makes the point plain: children complain about an ungodly father because they suffer disgrace because of him. The focus is on the lasting damage caused by ungodliness.
02A woe against the ungodlyNext, Sirach speaks directly to ungodly people. Their wrong is described as forsaking the law of the Most High God.
Explanation
Next, Sirach speaks directly to ungodly people. Their wrong is described as forsaking the law of the Most High God. The words about birth, death and curse show a life overshadowed by judgement. Verse 10 adds that just as earthly things return to the earth, the ungodly move from curse to perdition.
03Bodies mourned, evil names erasedVerse 11 draws a contrast between mourning for a person’s body and the memory of an evil name.
Explanation
Verse 11 draws a contrast between mourning for a person’s body and the memory of an evil name. Human grief concerns the body, but the name of sinners is said to be blotted out. The passage is not praising death. It is warning that a sinful reputation does not endure with honour.
04A good name outlasting wealthThe closing verses turn from warning to instruction. A person should have regard for their name because it lasts longer than vast treasure.
Explanation
The closing verses turn from warning to instruction. A person should have regard for their name because it lasts longer than vast treasure. Gold is valuable, but not as lasting as a good name. Verse 13 completes the contrast: a good life has limited days, yet a good name continues forever.
Questions to explore
Pause, look back at the verses and talk together.
01According to this passage, how can an ungodly father affect his children?
Look at the repeated words about disgrace and complaint, and answer from the wording of verses 5 to 7.
02What specific wrong does Sirach say the ungodly have done?
Verse 8 gives the clearest description, so use its exact language in your answer.
03Why does the passage tell a person to have regard for their name?
Compare what lasts only for a time with what continues longer than treasure in verses 12 and 13.
Read the Bible passage
World English Bible ClassicScripture quotation · Public domain
Sirach 41:5–13
5The children of sinners are abominable children and they frequent the dwellings of the ungodly.
6The inheritance of sinners’ children will perish and with their posterity will be a perpetual disgrace.
7Children will complain of an ungodly father, because they suffer disgrace because of him.
8Woe to you, ungodly men, who have forsaken the law of the Most High God!
9If you are born, you will be born to a curse. If you die, a curse will be your portion.
10All things that are of the earth will go back to the earth; so the ungodly will go from a curse to perdition.
11The mourning of men is about their bodies; but the evil name of sinners will be blotted out.
12Have regard for your name, for it continues with you longer than a thousand great treasures of gold.
13A good life has its number of days, but a good name continues forever.