Read & explore together
Use wisdom openly without letting gifts silence judgment
In this wisdom passage from Sirach, a book in the Catholic additional books, short sayings compare speech, work, influence, gifts, and hidden wisdom. The lines show benefits that can come from prudence, while also warning that gifts can interfere with honest correction.
Understanding the passage
Listening in context
Sirach 20:27–31 presents linked sayings rather than a story. The passage moves from wise words and prudence, to harvest from tilling land and pardon from great men, then to a warning that favours and gifts can blind and silence. It ends by asking what profit hidden wisdom has.
Sirach 20:27–32Main takeaway
This passage says wisdom brings benefit, but gifts can hinder clear judgment and reproof, so hidden wisdom is of little profit.
Look closely at the words
Open a card to explore the full explanation and its Bible references.
01Wise words and prudence bring advantageThe first saying names two related benefits. One who is wise in words will advance himself, and one who is prudent will please great men.
Explanation
The first saying names two related benefits. One who is wise in words will advance himself, and one who is prudent will please great men. The verse connects wisdom in speech with progress, and prudence with gaining approval from people in high places.
02Tilling land and pleasing great menThe next verse gives two results. One who tills his land will raise his harvest high. One who pleases great men will get pardon for iniquity.
Explanation
The next verse gives two results. One who tills his land will raise his harvest high. One who pleases great men will get pardon for iniquity. The saying places agricultural increase beside favour from powerful people, showing two different kinds of outcome named in the text.
03Favours and gifts can stop reproofThe passage then warns about the power of favours and gifts. They blind the eyes of the wise, and like a muzzle on the mouth, they turn away reproofs.
Explanation
The passage then warns about the power of favours and gifts. They blind the eyes of the wise, and like a muzzle on the mouth, they turn away reproofs. These word pictures show interference with both clear sight and honest correction.
04Hidden wisdom has little profitThe closing sayings compare hidden wisdom to treasure out of sight and ask what profit is in either of them.
Explanation
The closing sayings compare hidden wisdom to treasure out of sight and ask what profit is in either of them. Then the comparison sharpens: it is better to hide folly than to hide wisdom. The passage values wisdom that is not kept concealed.
Questions to explore
Pause, look back at the verses and talk together.
01What two qualities are named in verse 27, and what result is linked with each one?
Read each half of the saying carefully. The verse pairs wise words with advancing oneself, and prudence with pleasing great men.
02What two outcomes are placed side by side in verse 28?
Notice that one outcome comes from tilling land and the other from pleasing great men. The verse simply states both results.
03How do verses 29 to 31 move from warning to conclusion?
First identify the warning about gifts blinding and muzzling, then connect it with the question about hidden wisdom and the statement that it is better to hide folly than wisdom.
Read the Bible passage
World English Bible ClassicScripture quotation · Public domain
Sirach 20:27–31
27He who is wise in words will advance himself. And one who is prudent will please great men.
28He who tills his land will raise his harvest high. He who pleases great men will get pardon for iniquity.
29Favors and gifts blind the eyes of the wise, and as a muzzle on the mouth, turn away reproofs.
30Wisdom that is hidden, and treasure that is out of sight— what profit is in either of them?
31Better is a man who hides his folly than a man who hides his wisdom.
Source passages
Source: Sirach 20 ↗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.