Single lesson
Sirach 5: Do not presume on wealth or delayed judgment
Sirach 5:1–8
Sirach 5:1-8 warns against false confidence. It speaks to people who trust wealth, their own desires, or delayed judgement, and it urges a prompt return to the Lord instead of assuming there will always be more time.
Before you teach
This passage comes from Sirach, a wisdom book in the Catholic additional books. These verses are written as direct warnings, repeating “Don’t say” and “Don’t” to challenge careless thinking about possessions, sin, mercy, and the timing of judgement.
Explain the central teaching of Sirach 5: Do not presume on wealth or delayed judgment, using two details from the reading. This passage teaches that wealth, self-rule, and delayed consequences are not safe reasons to ignore turning to the Lord.
Welcome: Sirach 5: Do not presume on wealth or delayed judgment
5 minIntroduce “Do not presume on wealth or delayed judgment” and locate Sirach 5:1–8. This passage teaches that wealth, self-rule, and delayed consequences are not safe reasons to ignore turning to the Lord. Invite each learner to name a detail or question they will listen for.
Sirach 5:1, Sirach 5:5, Sirach 5:8
Read and explain the passage
12 minThe passage begins by warning against setting the heart on goods and saying they are enough. It ends similarly by warning against unrighteous gains. The issue is not only having things, but trusting them as security. Sirach says such gain will not help in a day of calamity.
The passage recognises that someone may sin and see no immediate consequence. Yet it does not treat that delay as approval. “The Lord is patient” does not mean sin is harmless. Sirach therefore warns against becoming confident about atonement while continuing to add further sins.
Sirach joins mercy and wrath in the same warning. God’s compassion must not be used as an excuse for “the multitude” of sins. Because wrath may come suddenly, the reader is told not to wait from day to day to turn to the Lord. The call is urgent, not casual.
Read the selected verses together, pausing at “Do not presume on wealth or delayed judgment”. Use the source reading below and check the explanation against the words of the passage.
Sirach 5:1, Sirach 5:8, Sirach 5:4, Sirach 5:5, Sirach 5:6, Sirach 5:7
Discuss the details and their meaning
8 minUse the three questions below. Begin with “What repeated kinds of statements does this passage tell the reader not to say?” and allow time to find the supporting verses. This passage teaches that wealth, self-rule, and delayed consequences are not safe reasons to ignore turning to the Lord. Ask learners to explain which details support their answer and to identify a question they would like to explore further.
Sirach 5:1, Sirach 5:3, Sirach 5:4, Sirach 5:6, Sirach 5:5, Sirach 5:7, Sirach 5:8
Make and respond: Wisdom comparison cards
12 minWork on “Sirach 5: Do not presume on wealth or delayed judgment: Wisdom comparison cards”. Follow the materials and steps below, using “Do not presume on wealth or delayed judgment” 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 5:1, Sirach 5:5, Sirach 5:8
Closing: return to Do not presume on wealth or delayed judgment
3 minRevisit Sirach 5:1–8. Invite a learner to summarise what the group has learned about Do not presume on wealth or delayed judgment 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 5:1, Sirach 5:5, Sirach 5:8
Questions to explore
What repeated kinds of statements does this passage tell the reader not to say?
Notice how often the verses quote mistaken inner speech about wealth, self-rule, sin, or delay, then correct it with a warning.
Sirach 5:1, Sirach 5:3, Sirach 5:4, Sirach 5:6
How does Sirach describe the danger of treating God’s patience as permission to continue sinning?
Look at the link between patience, confidence about atonement, and adding sin upon sins.
Sirach 5:4, Sirach 5:5
Why does the passage urge people not to put off turning to the Lord?
The reason given is the suddenness of judgement and the uselessness of unjust gain in calamity.
Sirach 5:7, Sirach 5:8
Make, think or respond
Sirach 5: Do not presume on wealth or delayed judgment: 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 5:1–8. Use “Do not presume on wealth or delayed judgment” 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 5: Do not presume on wealth or delayed judgment 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 “Do not presume on wealth or delayed judgment” and let them match short quotations to the correct heading.
- For confident readers, compare two sections of Sirach 5:1–8. 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 5:1–8. 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 5
1 Don’t set your heart upon your goods. Don’t say, “They are sufficient for me.”
2 Don’t follow your own mind and your strength to walk in the desires of your heart.
3 Don’t say, “Who will have dominion over me?” for the Lord will surely take vengeance on you.
4 Don’t say, “I sinned, and what happened to me?” for the Lord is patient.
5 Don’t be so confident of atonement that you add sin upon sins.
6 Don’t say, “His compassion is great. He will be pacified for the multitude of my sins,” for mercy and wrath are with him, and his indignation will rest on sinners.
7 Don’t wait to turn to the Lord. Don’t put off from day to day; for suddenly the wrath of the Lord will come on you, and you will perish in the time of vengeance.
8 Don’t set your heart upon unrighteous gains, for you will profit nothing in the day of calamity.
World English Bible Classic. Public domain.