Single lesson
Learn which kinds of shame to keep and which to reject
Sirach 41:14–42:8
Sirach sorts shame carefully. Some shame is fitting because it exposes wrongdoing, while other shame is misplaced because it keeps people from truth, justice, honest dealings, and needed correction.
Before you teach
In this wisdom passage from the Catholic additional book of Sirach, the speaker addresses “my children”. He begins with instruction about hidden wisdom and hidden foolishness, then gives examples of actions that should bring shame, and finally names matters a person should not avoid through embarrassment.
Explain the central teaching of Learn which kinds of shame to keep and which to reject, using two details from the reading. Sirach teaches that shame is useful when it restrains wrong, but harmful when it keeps a person from what is true, just, careful, and instructive.
Welcome: Learn which kinds of shame to keep and which to reject
5 minIntroduce “Learn which kinds of shame to keep and which to reject” and locate Sirach 41:14–42:8. Sirach teaches that shame is useful when it restrains wrong, but harmful when it keeps a person from what is true, just, careful, and instructive. Invite each learner to name a detail or question they will listen for.
Sirach 41:14, Sirach 41:23, Sirach 42:8
Read and explain the passage
12 minThe passage opens with a call to “follow instruction in peace”. Hidden wisdom is compared with unseen treasure, and Sirach asks what benefit there is in either. He then contrasts hiding foolishness with hiding wisdom, making the point that wisdom is meant to be brought into use, not buried away.
The list continues with failures in courtesy, harmful looking, taking what belongs to others, meddling sexually, insulting after giving, repeating what was heard, and revealing secrets. Sirach concludes that being ashamed of such things means being ashamed of the right things, with favour in the sight of others.
Sirach 42:5-7 includes severe household-control sayings about children, an enslaved person, a wife, locking things up, and recording transactions by number, weight, and writing. The passage presents these instructions as part of Sirach’s counsel. It ends by saying one should not be ashamed to instruct the unwise, the foolish, or an older person disputing with the young.
Read the selected verses together, pausing at “Learn which kinds of shame to keep and which to reject”. Use the source reading below and check the explanation against the words of the passage.
Sirach 41:14, Sirach 41:15, Sirach 41:20, Sirach 41:21, Sirach 41:22, Sirach 41:23, Sirach 41:24, Sirach 42:5, Sirach 42:6, Sirach 42:7, Sirach 42:8
Discuss the details and their meaning
8 minUse the three questions below. Begin with “How does Sirach contrast hidden wisdom and hidden foolishness?” and allow time to find the supporting verses. Sirach teaches that shame is useful when it restrains wrong, but harmful when it keeps a person from what is true, just, careful, and instructive. Ask learners to explain which details support their answer and to identify a question they would like to explore further.
Sirach 41:14, Sirach 41:15, Sirach 41:17, Sirach 41:18, Sirach 41:19, Sirach 41:22, Sirach 41:23, Sirach 41:24, Sirach 42:1, Sirach 42:2, Sirach 42:3, Sirach 42:4, Sirach 42:7, Sirach 42:8
Make and respond: Wisdom comparison cards
12 minWork on “Learn which kinds of shame to keep and which to reject: Wisdom comparison cards”. Follow the materials and steps below, using “Learn which kinds of shame to keep and which to reject” as reading headings. Each learner should include at least two accurate details and their verse references. Share one observation from the finished sheet and explain how it connects with the central teaching.
Sirach 41:14, Sirach 41:23, Sirach 42:8
Closing: return to Learn which kinds of shame to keep and which to reject
3 minRevisit Sirach 41:14–42:8. Invite a learner to summarise what the group has learned about Learn which kinds of shame to keep and which to reject and another to support the summary with a verse. Give learners a moment to complete their response sheet. They can share a question or, if appropriate for the group, join the optional prayer.
Sirach 41:14, Sirach 41:23, Sirach 42:8
Questions to explore
How does Sirach contrast hidden wisdom and hidden foolishness?
Notice what he says about hidden wisdom, unseen treasure, and which thing is better to hide.
Sirach 41:14, Sirach 41:15
What kinds of actions does Sirach say should bring shame?
Trace the examples across the list and include both actions against others and sins of speech.
Sirach 41:17, Sirach 41:18, Sirach 41:19, Sirach 41:22, Sirach 41:23, Sirach 41:24
What things should a person not avoid out of embarrassment?
List the matters tied to God’s law, justice, honest accounts, accurate measures, written records, and instruction.
Sirach 42:1, Sirach 42:2, Sirach 42:3, Sirach 42:4, Sirach 42:7, Sirach 42:8
Make, think or respond
Learn which kinds of shame to keep and which to reject: Wisdom comparison cards
What you’ll need
- plain paper or card
- pencils or pens
- a Bible or the source reading on this page
Try it together
- Fold a sheet into three panels or draw three columns. Label them “What the passage commends”, “What it warns against”, “The reason or outcome stated”.
- Read Sirach 41:14–42:8. Use “Learn which kinds of shame to keep and which to reject” as your reading headings and add a short quotation or detail with its verse reference to each panel.
- Compare your notes with a partner. Check that every quotation is accurate and every conclusion has support in the passage.
- Write a proposed everyday example beside one teaching. Label it as your example and explain which words in the text guided it.
The finished sheet keeps the details of Learn which kinds of shame to keep and which to reject connected to their Bible references and gives the group a way to explain what they noticed.
Adapt for your group
- For learners who need more support, prepare the reading headings “Learn which kinds of shame to keep and which to reject” and let them match short quotations to the correct heading.
- For confident readers, compare two sections of Sirach 41:14–42:8. Ask for a written explanation with two supporting references and one question that the text leaves open.
An optional closing prayer
“God, help us listen carefully as we read Sirach 41:14–42:8. Help us understand what we have read, ask thoughtful questions and respond with care for others. Amen.”
Read the Bible passage World English Bible Classic
Sirach 41
14 My children, follow instruction in peace. But wisdom that is hidden and a treasure that is not seen, what benefit is in them both?
15 Better is a man who hides his foolishness than a man who hides his wisdom.
16 Therefore show respect for my words; for it is not good to retain every kind of shame. Not everything is approved by all in good faith.
17 Be ashamed of sexual immorality before father and mother, of a lie before a prince and a mighty man,
18 of an offense before a judge and ruler, of iniquity before the congregation and the people, of unjust dealing before a partner and friend,
19 and of theft in the place where you sojourn. Be ashamed in regard of the truth of God and his covenant, of leaning on your elbow at dinner, of contemptuous behavior in the matter of giving and taking,
20 of silence before those who greet you, of looking at a woman who is a prostitute,
21 of turning away your face from a kinsman, of taking away a portion or a gift, of gazing at a woman who has a husband,
22 of meddling with his maid—and don’t come near her bed, of abusive speech to friends—and after you have given, don’t insult,
23 of repeating and speaking what you have heard, and of revealing of secrets.
24 So you will be ashamed of the right things and find favor in the sight of every man.
Sirach 42
1 Don’t be ashamed of these things, and don’t sin to save face:
2 of the law of the Most High and his covenant, of judgment to do justice to the ungodly,
3 of reckoning with a partner and with travellers, of a gift from the inheritance of friends,
4 of exactness of scales and weights, of getting much or little,
5 of bargaining dealing with merchants, of frequent correction of children, and of making the back of an evil slave to bleed.
6 A seal is good where an evil wife is. Where there are many hands, lock things up.
7 Whatever you hand over, let it be by number and weight. In giving and receiving, let all be in writing.
8 Don’t be ashamed to instruct the unwise and foolish, and one of extreme old age who contends with those who are young. So you will be well instructed indeed and approved in the sight of every living man.
World English Bible Classic. Public domain.