Single lesson
Sirach 21: Flee wrongdoing and heed correction
Sirach 21:1–10; Sirach 21:11–21; Sirach 21:22–28
Sirach 21:1–10 gives wise instruction in short sayings. It urges a person to stop sinning, ask forgiveness, accept reproof and notice where the path of wrongdoing leads. This lesson also brings together Wisdom welcomes the discipline that fools reject, Prudence restrains intrusion and reckless words.
Before you teach
This passage from Sirach speaks as advice to “my son”. It begins with personal sin and forgiveness, then uses strong comparisons for iniquity. It also speaks about violence, arrogance, the poor man’s prayer, hating reproof, being mighty in tongue, building with other men’s money and the end of sinners.
Explain the central teaching of Sirach 21: Flee wrongdoing and heed correction, using two details from the reading. This passage warns that sin brings danger and ruin, and it calls for repentance, reverence and understanding instead of continuing on the sinner’s way. Sirach teaches that prudent people welcome instruction and use words well, while fools reject wisdom and show it in what they say and how they respond. Prudence in this passage means respecting boundaries and weighing words, because reckless speech harms the speaker as well as others.
Welcome: Sirach 21: Flee wrongdoing and heed correction
5 minIntroduce “Flee wrongdoing and heed correction”, “Wisdom welcomes the discipline that fools reject”, “Prudence restrains intrusion and reckless words” and locate Sirach 21:1–10; Sirach 21:11–21; Sirach 21:22–28. This passage warns that sin brings danger and ruin, and it calls for repentance, reverence and understanding instead of continuing on the sinner’s way. Invite each learner to name a detail or question they will listen for.
Sirach 21:1, Sirach 21:6, Sirach 21:10
Read and explain the passage
12 minFlee wrongdoing and heed correction (Sirach 21:1–10): The first saying speaks plainly: if someone has sinned, he must not keep doing it, and he should ask forgiveness for past sins. Then sin is compared to a snake. The point is urgency. A person should not move closer to sin, because the picture given is of danger that bites and destroys.
Wisdom welcomes the discipline that fools reject (Sirach 21:11–21): Sirach starts by linking wisdom with keeping the law and with the fear of the Lord. It then warns that not every kind of cleverness is good. Some cleverness does not lead to instruction at all, but makes bitterness grow instead.
Prudence restrains intrusion and reckless words (Sirach 21:22–28): Sirach begins with the image of approaching a house. The fool rushes in, but the experienced person is ashamed to enter so freely. The contrast shows restraint. Wisdom here is not bold intrusion, but recognising that stepping into another person’s space needs care.
Read the selected verses together, pausing at “Flee wrongdoing and heed correction”, “Wisdom welcomes the discipline that fools reject”, “Prudence restrains intrusion and reckless words”. Use the source reading below and check the explanation against the words of the passage.
Sirach 21:1, Sirach 21:2, Sirach 21:11, Sirach 21:12, Sirach 21:22
Discuss the details and their meaning
8 minUse the three questions below. Begin with “What do the pictures of the snake and the two-edged sword add to the command not to keep sinning?” and allow time to find the supporting verses. Prudence in this passage means respecting boundaries and weighing words, because reckless speech harms the speaker as well as others. Ask learners to explain which details support their answer and to identify a question they would like to explore further.
Sirach 21:1, Sirach 21:2, Sirach 21:3, Sirach 21:13, Sirach 21:14, Sirach 21:26, Sirach 21:27, Sirach 21:28
Make and respond: Wisdom comparison cards
12 minWork on “Sirach 21: Flee wrongdoing and heed correction: Wisdom comparison cards”. Follow the materials and steps below, using “Flee wrongdoing and heed correction”, “Wisdom welcomes the discipline that fools reject”, “Prudence restrains intrusion and reckless words” 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 21:1, Sirach 21:15, Sirach 21:28
Closing: return to Prudence restrains intrusion and reckless words
3 minRevisit Sirach 21:22–28. Invite a learner to summarise what the group has learned about Prudence restrains intrusion and reckless words 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 21:22, Sirach 21:25, Sirach 21:28
Questions to explore
What do the pictures of the snake and the two-edged sword add to the command not to keep sinning?
Use the images in the passage to describe how dangerous and damaging sin is presented to be.
Sirach 21:1, Sirach 21:2, Sirach 21:3
Which images describe the wise man and the fool in relation to knowledge?
Compare the flood and fountain with the broken vessel, and notice what each image suggests.
Sirach 21:13, Sirach 21:14
How do the last three verses show that harmful speech turns back on the speaker?
Notice the repeated phrases about one’s own soul and the result of being hated wherever he travels.
Sirach 21:26, Sirach 21:27, Sirach 21:28
Make, think or respond
Sirach 21: Flee wrongdoing and heed correction: 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 21:1–10; Sirach 21:11–21; Sirach 21:22–28. Use “Flee wrongdoing and heed correction”, “Wisdom welcomes the discipline that fools reject”, “Prudence restrains intrusion and reckless words” 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 Sirach 21: Flee wrongdoing and heed correction 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 “Flee wrongdoing and heed correction”, “Wisdom welcomes the discipline that fools reject”, “Prudence restrains intrusion and reckless words” and let them match short quotations to the correct heading.
- For confident readers, compare two sections of Sirach 21:1–10; Sirach 21:11–21; Sirach 21:22–28. 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 21:1–10; Sirach 21:11–21; Sirach 21:22–28. 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 21
1 My son, have you sinned? Do it no more; and ask forgiveness for your past sins.
2 Flee from sin as from the face of a snake; for if you go near, it will bite you. Its teeth are like lion’s teeth, slaying people’s souls.
3 All iniquity is as a two-edged sword. Its stroke has no healing.
4 Terror and violence will waste away riches. So the house of an arrogant man will be laid waste.
5 Supplication from a poor man’s mouth reaches to the ears of God, and his judgment comes speedily.
6 One who hates reproof is in the path of the sinner. He who fears the Lord will repent in his heart.
7 He who is mighty in tongue is known far away; but the man of understanding knows when he slips.
8 He who builds his house with other men’s money is like one who gathers stones for his own tomb.
9 The congregation of wicked men is as a bundle of tow with a flame of fire at the end of them.
10 The way of sinners is paved with stones; and at the end of it is the pit of Hades.
11 He who keeps the law becomes master of its intent. The fulfilment of the fear of the Lord is wisdom.
12 He who is not clever will not be instructed. There is a cleverness which makes bitterness abound.
13 The knowledge of a wise man will be made to abound as a flood, and his counsel as a fountain of life.
14 The inward parts of a fool are like a broken vessel. He will hold no knowledge.
15 If a man of knowledge hears a wise word, he will commend it and add to it. The wanton man hears it, and it displeases him, so he throws it away behind his back.
16 The chatter of a fool is like a burden in the way, but grace will be found on the lips of the wise.
17 The utterance of the prudent man will be sought for in the congregation. They will ponder his words in their heart.
18 As a house that is destroyed, so is wisdom to a fool. The knowledge of an unwise man is talk without sense.
19 Instruction is as fetters on the feet of an unwise man, and as manacles on the right hand.
20 A fool lifts up his voice with laughter, but a clever man smiles quietly.
21 Instruction is to a prudent man as an ornament of gold, and as a bracelet upon his right arm.
22 The foot of a fool rushes into a house, but a man of experience will be ashamed of entering.
23 A foolish man peers into the door of a house, but a man who is instructed will stand outside.
24 It is rude for someone to listen at a door, but a prudent person will be grieved with the disgrace.
25 The lips of strangers will be grieved at these things, but the words of prudent men will be weighed in the balance.
26 The heart of fools is in their mouth, but the mouth of wise men is their heart.
27 When the ungodly curses an adversary, he curses his own soul.
28 A whisperer defiles his own soul, and will be hated wherever he travels.
World English Bible Classic. Public domain.