Read & explore together
Ungodly descendants and crowds offer no security
Sirach 16:1–14 warns against trusting in numbers, whether in a family or a crowd. The passage says godliness, understanding, mercy, and God’s just judgement matter more than how many people there are.
Understanding the passage
Listening in context
In this wisdom passage from Sirach, one speaker gives warnings and observations. He first speaks about children and descendants, then about groups marked by sin, and finally about the Lord’s mercy, correction, and judgement according to each person’s works.
Sirach 16:1–16 (source bridge 15–16)Main takeaway
This passage teaches that neither many descendants nor large crowds give real security, because the Lord judges justly and values godliness over numbers.
Look closely at the words
Open a card to explore the full explanation and its Bible references.
01Numbers are not enough in a familyThe passage opens by saying not to delight in many children if they are ungodly. Their multiplication is not the point unless the fear of the Lord is in them.
Explanation
The passage opens by saying not to delight in many children if they are ungodly. Their multiplication is not the point unless the fear of the Lord is in them. Sirach even says one may be better than a thousand, so number alone is not a safe measure of blessing.
02One understanding person outweighs a wicked lineSirach next contrasts one person with understanding and a race of wicked men. One can help populate a city, while wickedness leads to desolation.
Explanation
Sirach next contrasts one person with understanding and a race of wicked men. One can help populate a city, while wickedness leads to desolation. The speaker then says he has seen and heard strong examples, presenting this warning as something confirmed by serious observation.
03Crowds do not escape the Lord’s justiceA congregation of sinners and a disobedient nation still face fire and wrath. The passage names earlier groups who were not spared in revolt, pride, sins, or hardness of heart.
Explanation
A congregation of sinners and a disobedient nation still face fire and wrath. The passage names earlier groups who were not spared in revolt, pride, sins, or hardness of heart. It then adds that mercy and correction both belong to the Lord, who judges each person according to works.
Questions to explore
Pause, look back at the verses and talk together.
01What does Sirach say matters more than having many children?
Look for the contrast between a multitude and the fear of the Lord or understanding.
02How does the passage show that large groups are not automatically secure?
Notice the congregation, nation, and gathered footmen, and what the passage says about them.
03Which words in the ending keep mercy and judgement together?
Read the lines about forgiveness, correction, and receiving according to works.
Read the Bible passage
World English Bible ClassicScripture quotation · Public domain
Sirach 16:1–14
1Don’t desire a multitude of unprofitable children, neither delight in ungodly sons.
2If they multiply, don’t delight in them unless the fear of the Lord is in them.
3Don’t trust in their life. Don’t rely on their numbers; for one can be better than a thousand, and to die childless than to have ungodly children.
4For from one who has understanding, a city will be populated, but a race of wicked men will be made desolate.
5I have seen many such things with my eyes. My ear has heard mightier things than these.
6In a congregation of sinners, a fire will be kindled. In a disobedient nation, wrath is kindled.
7He was not pacified toward the giants of old time, who revolted in their strength.
8He didn’t spare Lot’s neighbors, whom he abhorred for their pride.
9He didn’t pity the people of perdition who were taken away in their sins,
10or in like manner, the six hundred thousand footmen who were gathered together in the hardness of their hearts.
11Even if there is one stiff-necked person, it is a marvel if he will be unpunished; for mercy and wrath are both with him who is mighty to forgive, and he pours out wrath.
12As his mercy is great, so is his correction also. He judges a man according to his works.
13The sinner will not escape with plunder. The perseverance of the godly will not be frustrated.
14He will make room for every work of mercy. Each man will receive according to his works.
Source passages
Source: Sirach 16 ↗Translation and source notes
Some verse numbers are represented by textual notes in World English Bible Classic. The reading below follows the text printed in the main passage.