CHAPTER 23 (2) He imagines the Lord, as he is the father who organizes his thoughts, and if it mangled God will discipline it with the whips. The Lord gives the heart wisdom, although, without losing sight of his sins. (3) And he asks the Lord for the discipline so his sins do not multiply on him. Here, the enemy that he fears is the devil or the sin. Here, Joshua fears the irony of his enemies who are joyful when they see an unwavering believer, and they become so happy with this success. However, temporary. What is so impressed about God, that he allowed his people to be under tyranny, such as the husband unfairness or the religion. This is the school where the saints have learned for their benefit, and the Question of the glory. Unbearable difficulties lead us to repentance and victory. (4-6) Here, he asks the Lord to help him to abandon the lust of looking, which leads to the lust of uncleanness and impurity. All this related the lust of food and all that started with controlling the lips. Compare: " Let us walk honestly, as in the day: not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and impurities, not in contention and envy". (Rom.13: 13) and " Envies, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like. Of the which I foretell you, as I have foretold to you, that they who do such things shall not obtain the kingdom of God." (Galatians5: 21) and " And be not drunk with wine, wherein is luxury; but be ye filled with the holy Spirit." (Ephesians5: 18). (9-10) “Do not make swearing a habit”. Jews, in the old days (spiritual childhood), could not refrain from swearing. That is why the Lord asked them not to swear, but give their oath to God. Sometimes the Lord allows them to swear by his Name, but not because he wants the oath, but to have their oath as a sign of worship to Him alone without the strange gods. That is why the Lord prevents them from swearing by other gods in surrounding nations. In the New Testament - as we entered into a mature spiritual stage - Jesus commands us not to swear at all. "33 Again you have heard that it was said to them of old, Thou shalt not forswear thyself: but thou shalt perform thy oaths to the Lord. 34 But I say to you not to swear at all, neither by heaven, for it is the throne of God: 35 Nor by the earth, for it is his footstool: nor by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great king: 36 Neither shalt thou swear by thy head, because thou canst not make one hair white or black. 37 But let your speech be yea, yea: no, no: and that which is over and above these, is of evil."(Matt5: 33-37) (11-14) Here, the prophet Baroukh continues his talk about swearing. Commenting St. John (the golden mouth) on the swearing and says: "The oath is like the wind for a ship of anger, without it cannot sail in human life. Put a law for a human with fast emotion not to swear, there will be no need to teach him moderation." St. John, Chrysostom, considers that not swearing is the special mark of the Christian. He says: "Let us accept that as stamp from the sky, so we looked at in every place as we are herding of the king. If only we know who we are through our mouth and our language." (16) The devout people kept away from blasphemy. Your works can be blasphemed of the name of God, such as being unfair to others. And no one knows that God hears and sees everything, and he thinks that God does not exist, also considering God does not exist or does not know is also blasphemy against God. The harsh criticism and the rumors that destroys the reputation of people and destroys homes, it is as good as the talk that leads to death. (17) Don’t let your mouth getting used to indecent talk, all this talk leads to sin, because every bad word counted. And the unproductive word is not like the obscene word as the unproductive word has no benefit, just imaging what the obscene word like. The Book says "Nor the effeminate, nor liers with mankind, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor railers, nor extortioners, shall possess the kingdom of God." (1Corinthians6: 10) (18-19) sometimes, human who reach a reputable position forgets his family because they wear poor people clothes. There is the story of a police officer, when he graduated and joined the workforce did not contact his family. After a period of time, his father came to see him; his colleagues asked him who this man is? He indicated that he is his special doorman. And more stories that refer to the denial of children of their parents, but unfortunately, it has a sad end, because when parents bless their son, the sky also blesses him. No man is successful in his life without the prayer and blessing for his parents. On the day of honoring George Washington, he asked for an extra chair to place next to his, and then he went among the people, and brought an old woman and said this is the mother of George Washington. If you want to pay a tribute to me, better honoring this woman as well. (20) This verse teaches us the importance of fathers in the upbringing of their children and hearing every unsuitable word that parents say or directed to them in their lives, because if they did not learn to talk the right way, it will remain with them throughout their lives. This makes us also to say to the parents, noticed the language you use at home because these kids hear everything and there is no prohibited words allowed for parents and not allowed for the boys. In the end, this Chapter gives advises for everyone, if followed, human will not fall in this sin, which has death as punishment, and then punishable during the eternal life. A man should fear God and follow His commandments. There is no more suffering than that in all his days on earth. CHAPTER 24 (2) "Opens mouth in supreme gathering" The wisdom has always been advocated in order to be heard, to declare the will of God and his plan for the human. Declare it through the nature which gives evidence of God’s caring. (3-4) Bless the Lord, God’s slaves. Bless the Lord in all his holiness. (5-10) As the Lord knows that the essence of the wisdom, the only son of the father was born, which is different from the things that have a beginning and created. The nature of Christ is that he is the hypostasis of the word, not created and has no beginning, that’s why he says: "I got out of the supreme’s mouth early before every creature" because Jesus Christ is from the beginning because he is one of the three hypostasis.And he is the hypostasisof the wisdom by which everything was made. Over there he was the wisdom itself working in the holy soul. And who was with the father except the wisdom? In addition, who can travel in the circle of the sky but God? And who can walk on the sea except the embodied hypostasis of wisdom, which is Jesus Christ?? .. And who is shed for all the nations but only God, who is apparent in the body? Compare "in the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God." (Jn1: 1). The configuration of worship in Jerusalem is in the eyes of the son of Sirach act of wisdom, either because it is perfect as the divine world, or because they are codified in the holy law, which both, wisdom and law, are one thing. (18) The palm: are trees, usually, prevalent in the hot areas, especially the desert ones, subject to the availability of water to it. And palm trees, long and hard and straight at its height and have extra fruits "The vineyard is confounded, and the fig tree hath languished: the pomegranate tree, and the palm tree, and the apple tree, and all the trees of the field are withered: because joy is withdrawn from the children of men." (Joel1: 12) Pictures of palm were used for decorating the Temple of Solomon and other buildings "And all the walls of the temple round about he carved with divers figures and carvings: and he made in them cherubims and palm trees, and divers representations, as it were standing out, and coming forth from the wall." (1Kings6: 29) and its papers were used in front of the victorious "Took branches of palm trees, and went forth to meet him, and cried: Hosanna, blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord, the king of Israel."(John12: 13) and used in the comparison of friend "The just shall flourish like the palm tree, shall grow like a cedar of Lebanon." (Psalm92: 13). Jericho: meaning "City of the Moon" or "the place of aromatic smells" (19) The olive: Olive leaves for hundreds of years, and symbolizes the Holy Spirit and was used in the manufacture of some parts of the structure and its accessories "And two doors of olive tree: and he carved upon them figures of cherubims, and figures of palm trees, and carvings very much projecting: and he overlaid them with gold: and he covered both the cherubims and the palm trees, and the other things with gold."(1Kings6: 23) El dolebb: The name in Hebrew (Aramun) "And Jacob took green robs of poplar, and of almond, and of place trees, and pilled them in part: so when the bark was taken off, in the parts that were pilled, there appeared whiteness: but the parts that were whole remained green: and by this means the colour was divers." (Genesis30: 37) It is a great tree, which has wide paper, and considered to be of the most beautiful trees and produce flowers around water causes in particular, The Pharaoh’s greatness was described with such tree branches. (20-21) El Darasini: (such as is the cinnamon) and Gorse (gum perfume) and the bitter are materials used in the installation of the holy water that was used in cleaning the prophets and the kings and heads of the priests. Here, the wisdom involved in worship. Son of Sirach indicated that it is similar to the incense, also similar to various natural perfumes. (22) The Oak mentioned in the story of Ishaloom. And grows wild in Palestine, Syria and lived for many years, even if the tree died out, new shoots grow up to replace the original tree. (23-31) Here, the wisdom blessed itself, and will continue to praise itself and show its beauty to attract people to adopt it. It is like the dignity providing blessing, glory and wealth. And wisdom is the mother of the love and the head of the wisdom is fear of God. And wisdom has the science and the asking. And the wisdom is the asking of life and virtue. Come to me, you who wish to be satisfied from my generosity. Wisdom is sweeter than honey for whoever acquires it. And whoever inherited me (the wisdom), will find I am Tastier than honey. I remain forever days. Whoever it tastes me could not do without me, and whoever drank me, will return one more time thirsty looking for more. Whoever it listened to me never leaves me, and whoever uses my commandments, is never wrong, and whoever honors me and introduced me to people and guided people to me, he will have eternal life. The wisdom = the holy Law. And that is the words of God, whoever deliver it to people and guided the people to God’s word, will have the eternal life. (35) Son of Sirach praised the wisdom, and describes it like a blessing river, quoting terrestrial paradise (the Garden of Eden), and Fishoon river = is one of the main four rivers that split to it the river of Paradise, "10 And a river went out the place of pleasure to water paradise, which from thence is divided into four heads.11 The name of the one is Phison: that is it which compasseth all the land of Hevilath, where gold groweth. (Genesis2: 10-11) (36-47) It is hard for human to count all wisdoms. It is like the sea because its thoughts are larger as the sea, and its advices are similar to the large ocean. And the wisdom is the source of the rivers. It is like the water wheel that irrigates whoever wants the drink of knowledge and wisdom. And I am the wisdom, light up with my knowledge the remotest corners of the globe to who wishes to go to obtain wisdom in all corners of the globe, and I light up the way for all those who needs to know the Lord and general knowledge. We know many stories of some individuals who did not know God and asked the Lord to show them itself. And He did, such as Anba Moussa the Black, who used to ask God every day to show him itself, until he knew God and so has become his greatest bishop. CHAPTER 25 Proverbs First: Agreement among fraternity. How beautiful when we meet together. Not long ago we could see families living with each other, the big house where the father, mother and children, each and everyone in their own room. he and his wife. The house was called “the family house”. And all were in it living in love and brotherhood. Second: The love of the near ones. It says the Lord:"37 Jesus said to him: "Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with thy whole heart, and with thy whole soul, and with thy whole mind. 38 This is the greatest and the first commandment. 39 And the second is like to this: Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself." (Matt22: 37-39). If everyone has read Proverb of the righteous Samaritan and work by it, will know that the near one is who makes good works with you and not only the close relative in your family relations. We are all relatives of human beings. You must love everyone, no matter of any race or color. In front of you, God has put itself as an example for you to use. And Keep away from sins. However, if there was a scuffle inside the house, we note that the boys do not want to get married and some complex reaction would occur to them, thinking that they will face the same fate of the mother and father. Boys understand everything and any problems in the family reflected negatively on the children in the study and in the spiritual life. (3-4) The other three that I despise by myself and detest their lives are: 2. The lying rich: He means the human being who believes that his wealth is from his personal effort and not from the generosity of the Lord. And that man believes that with his intelligence and talents, he becomes rich. And he Flaunts and denies that the Lord, who gave him the talent and intelligence. 3. The adulterer holy man: This reminded me of the two individuals who wanted to committed adultery with Sawssan the chaste, and the devil played with their brains and controlled their thoughts, but God saved Sawssanfrom their hands using the wisdom of Daniel and destruction was their end. (6-8) How beautiful is these old wise men and the ones with wisdom in the judiciary because they have experience in life and judging and have passed many cases. The old man with wisdom governs with justice and governs from the law of God, he is the one who fears the Lord and the fear of God is the centre of wisdom. Also, the one who sees in his life the fall of his enemies, often we see our enemies in a better situation than us, and we know that they are unfair and we expect bad things to happen to them because of their unfairness. And the wait is too long, but the Lord gives them a chance to come back and repent, because God wants everyone to be faithful and to know the Lord. However, if they don’t come back and repent, their punishment will be severe; it is earthy and heavenly punishment. (11) Blessed is who cohabiting with a reasonable woman, because "10 Who shall find a valiant woman? far and from the uttermost coasts is the price of her. 31:11 The heart of her husband trusteth in her, and he shall have no need of spoils." (Prov31: 10-11). Virtuous woman is wise and she is gift from God and a crown to her husband and her family. And we see many saints became eminence mothers and their children also become saints, such as St. Rafquah and her children and St. Monica and her son Ogstinos and many others. It blessed is who do not misuse his tongue, says St. James the Apostle, "For in many things we all offend. If any man offends not in word, the same is a perfect man. He is able also with a bridle to lead about the whole body." (James3: 2). And blessed is the man who faces a position at work could lead to sin and escape from this position. Alternatively, It was forced to lies or drinks or anything anger the Lord, to escape as did Yusuf the friend. (12) Blessed is the man who finds wisdom, and be able to say it in its place, meaning saying it to people who can appreciate it and understand it. (13-16) To obtain access to wisdom is to reach the Lord’s way, because the center of the wisdom is fearing the Lord and the fear of the Lord above everything. In order to reach the fear of the Lord, first, you must love him and second, believe that He does exist, because when you believe he exists, and he sees you afraid of doing a sin. After the love of God and the faith in him, you can contact him and get the fear of God in your life. And let’s not forget Cleopatra, which with her cunning act, was almost going to steer the transformation of the entire Roman Empire, so that Antonios felt in love with her, and she was Rome’s greatest enemy and the greatest enemy to the empire, which was very cautious of her. And the joy of Rome was overwhelming when it saw Cleopatra tied up with chains and imprisoned, and that is why she preferred to commit suicide using the snake instead of remaining tied up with chains in front of all Rome. (20-23) Any advice but the advice you get from the enemies, and all reprisals but a retaliation of the enemies, because it would be highly influential, because it has been built up for a long period and precipitate in the depths, when the enemy can control you its revenge would be great. Here, son of Sirach is referring to the snack poison as the worse kind, and the worse anger is of the woman. Women may resort to the plots and not to confrontation and would resort to tricks instead of the request. And, by nature, she can humiliate the man and trap him in her nets and then eliminate him after she had acquired him. He even went on to say that it is safer to be with a lion than being in the presence of a malignancy woman. (24-26) The malicious woman appearance changes to black color, the same as the devil, because some of the devil’s characters are cunning and malice, as he did with Eve. Malicious woman's husband escapes to the neighbors to eat with them because he could not live with her nagging and complaints. Any evil is better than the evil of a woman, no matter what and her end will be like the end of a sinner. (27-36) Woman who talk too much is like the veteran who wants to climb a hill of sand. If she married a quiet man, she will make his life difficult because she likes talking, and he likes to keep quiet. Like the old man who is trying to climb a hill of sand. As it was impossible for the elderly to climb a hill of sand, it is also impossible for a talkative woman to live with a quiet man. Therefore, the church encourages longer engagement period to have sufficient time for each party to know the nature of the other. A woman who does not make her husband happy, she causes him to have scattered thoughts and less focus at his work. Because when problems are in the house, he cannot concentrate on his spiritual life and the home collapses, and maybe some many accidents occur at work because of unstable home. The first sin was due to a woman (Eve) because she wanted to control man and be in a higher position than man. Eve, the first woman on earth, was a control freak, that is why she brought sins to the world. The evil Women, if in control, is like a hole in a boat, such hole will get bigger until it sinks the boat. Therefore, if the woman is evil and disobeys her husband, she will destroy the home, and she will embarrass her husband in front of others because she is bold and scold. Therefore, it is better to stay away from such women in order to ensure a happy life. The Church encourages couples to have respect for each other. We advise the youth to have the marriage subject under through screening, so the lord can choose the viable one for her or him. It deceived is the one who runs after money, beauty, or the family, and vice versa. Happy human who takes the church’s daughter or the church’s son, even if she was poor or not very beautiful, the Lord, who blesses the few, will bless the many too, such as Laylaa’ weak eye, who had more children than the beautiful Rachel. CHAPTER 26 The Virtuous Woman (S26: 1-9) (5-7) Joshua of Sirach has mentioned three things that he is afraid of: 2. The gathering of the crowd:: And that what was happening and still does in the history of the church where the mob attacks to kill the innocent Christians. 3. The Falsehoods: The fraud, deceive and injustice and twists of the justice. It happens too often, especially in the religious issues in Egypt (El-Koshah 2). (8-9) speaks here about the evils of jealousy over women. Women's jealousy is very ugly because it makes women and the family in need for more money, for example, if found another woman wearing a dress, and she wants to buy a dress like this. It may cause the family problems of jealousy when one woman is jealous of another and says the things that did not occur, and her big mouth like a whip that hurts all. An adulterous woman has a brazen and shameless look, and it can identify by her eye movements. It maintained the control of the girls, in particular the non modesty ones, because the fact that freedom can spoil them, because without control, it would be easy on committed sin, so it should be a control with trust. The deviation and the slide in sins are pursuant to wrong upbringing and lake of control, and also from bad friends and the presence in bad premises. The evil Women means that woman who opens her mouth for kissing, such as the traveler with cheap kisses (so to speak), she kisses everyone or goes out with anyone, like that thirsty traveler who goes on a short trip. And she stays in the house of anyone and plays a host for anyone in her home, because she is a careless woman. There are statistics in the United States of America indicates that young people aged 15-19 years change their relationship among each other about six different time in such a short time (Boyfriend or Girlfriend). And this exposes them to diseases such as AIDS and pushes them to the abuse of drugs, and the lust for sex control them. And sex is becoming the one thing that occupied them, and to be able to supporting the current atmosphere. they get bad advices from some of their bad friends that they must use drugs for stimulants to enable them to keep doing what they do. (16-18) The most beautiful thing is when your wife or your partner is kind and polite, she makes your days longer, and you live a life without problems. However, if she is the impolite and not descent, your life will become hell, especially in front of all the people. The most beautiful woman is the one with a few words, because too much talking is not without sin, especially when the woman talks about the home secrets. It is known that talking too much and the disclosure of secrets is often come out of the women rather than the men. St. Arsenious says, "often I spoke and was sorry I did, as for the silence, I did not ever regret." There is no price for the decent and polite women. (20-23) Decent woman is a great blessing, because she knows that she is the structure of the Holy Spirit, so, how to take the structure of the Holy Spirit and degrade it in front of people. And the beauty of a woman is in the coordination of home and its decoration; she adds a touch of beauty. And the virtuous women is decent in everything in her walk, in the way she sits and in the way she talks. Like the lighthouse, everyone is looking at her to learn from her. (24) The pure woman develops the Lord's commandments and brands it in her heart, like an engraving on the rock, which does not vanish at all, and fixed forever. (25-28) The saddened of the son of Sirach was for three things: First: if a man of war needs supplies, or money, especially at the time of war. It is possible that the whole army be defeated, if they do not have adequate supplies. Up until now, there is an indicator on the plane called the "irreversibility line" in order to know if they have enough petrol to return to base again or not. So, do we know if we have time left in the rest of our life to repent, so that we can return to our original home, the sky or not? And do we have enough to return to the Lord’s lap again? Second: If wise men are humiliated. It shows that mob of men controlled the situations, which is why they insult the wise men. Third: The righteous man who goes back to sins, and sacrifices his eternal life, such as Judas, He must be destroyed at the end of days. (28) At the end of this chapter, the son of Sirach warns the traders, who consider that everything is the money and profit only, and lie to the government about the tax. And lie to people and all the world to steal, pretending that they have lost and made no profit this year, so they do not pay any benefits to the workers. This type of traders, regardless of giving money to the church, they are doing the wrong thing, and they do not know that the oil of the sinner does not paint the head (so to speak). It was long known that if the church knows about a merchant's reputation, and that he is not honest in his trade, the church will not accept any donation from him. Quantity is not important, but more importantly is the blessing. CHAPTER 27 (2-3) The son of Sirach, here, is showing the wedge between the stones and the love of money by the traders. From my experience in the management of one of the shops, I found the phenomenon of greed and fraud among traders for the sake of the rapid profit and cheating the taxation and the clients. (4) The person who is not persistence in his fear of God, unfortunately, will lose his money after his natural death, because the love of money is a curse of life. I personally know two of the richest in business that I work in it; they cannot enjoy the taste of sleeping at all. And because they steal others, they believe that all people are not worthy of the trust, and they will rob them. Indeed, because they steal and give workers low salaries, the result was that some people have robbed them, so they lost the taste of sleeping. Whoever steels from anyone, he will be robbed, because there is God's justice. Unfortunately, the result of the greed of these people is their children's morals become very bad. And after the death of that man, the problems showed up significantly with differences on the money (inheritance). If you look at that man you will see him a millionaire, but has a sad life, all his life on the telephone making deals, and his end will be an accident because the love of money, which is the root of all evil. Unfortunately, his wife also loves the money, to the extent that she sacrifices any member of her family because of love of money. Thus, the most important request of the Lord is the satisfaction, the health and educating the children to fear the Lord, this request is more important than anything else. (10) A well-known and famous Egyptian saying: “Some birds look alike” We see this ideal achieved in some marriages. Looking closely, we see that God is really great; because God matches two together of the same characters and are suitable for each other. Man, who loves justice, does justice, and he will receive justice. (11) As a lion stalking a prey, the devil is expected to raid the careless, negligent and reckless human as well. Our teacher, the Apostle Peter, says in his letter, “Be sober and watch: because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, get about seeking whom he may devour. Whom resist ye, strong in faith: knowing that the same affliction befalls your brethren who are in the world.”(1Peter:5: 8-9). (12) You will find the wise man is stable, just like the sun. As for the ignorant person, he is like the moon, sometimes hidden and sometimes crescent and sometimes full moon. (13) Count the minutes while setting with the ignorant people, because you are getting wisdom and blessing. (14) The talk of the ignorant people is full of ill talk, and they have an ill laugh that blocks the ear. (15) Conversation with the person who swears too much can raise your hair, because it is used frequently in the swearing of the Holy Name. It is better to shut your ears, so you don’t listen to such a swearing. (16) Conflict among arrogant is bloodshed, if there was a disagreement, try to make your wisdom to overcome anything else, if you say I am wrong, you will solve all problems. A great man, who is modest and says, all time, I am wrong, he can solve many problems. However, if he is arrogant in his heart, it is difficult to solve any problem. And it is possible for those problems to cause obscene insults and perhaps bloodshed among people. It is better to avoid all that and be modest in order to live in peace with the King of peace. As for the friend, he is the one who covers up on the problem, and tries to lend a hand and assists his friend. A friend is like a bird, if you don’t keep him, it will fly away, and never return, and, like the lucky bird who escaped from the trap, and never return to such a danger place again. At the end of this paragraph, Joshua of Sirach shows that, with all the experience, there is a treatment to any injury, and there are reconciliation, but divulging of secrets has no hope. (28-30) Here, he is talking about the man who plans for evil, and forgets that there is the God of justice to the oppressed. The one, who digs a hole for his brother, falls in it, and whoever throws a stone in the air, it falls on him, and whoever set a trap, caught in it. There was a righteous Christian man working in a government office and all the staff were taking bribes in the office, except that righteous Christian, and he was causing conscientious problems for them, and they wanted him out, so they presented false complaints against him until he was fired from work. After several months, there was a complaint filed against the office staff for receiving bribes, and after investigation by the prosecution, it was proving that everyone in this office took bribes and, unfortunately, everybody went to jail, except that righteous Christian, who was saved by the Lord. It may be that was a difficult experience, but the will of the Lord appeared, and he thanked the Lord, who said I engraved you on my palm. (31-33) The arrogant person wishes to take revenge on others, especially those who are better than him, and especially those that know the truth about his arrogant. There are some people hunts for the mistakes of the righteous people, as if the righteous are never wrong. He watches them all their lives, sleeping, exiting, and even watch their children, their relatives and say: look what the son of so and so is saying, and what he is doing, and he does not know that all the sins of the conviction speed up their March to hell. On the other hand, rather than uses the opportunity that given to them to repent, then go down by condemning of others. Hatred and anger are the tools of the evil people, and he is adhering to it, as he is venomous and irascible. His Holiness the Pope says that the sin of anger is that multiply and carries more sins within. It is stupid and foolish to hang on to hatred and anger. CHAPTER 28 The Quarrel and the Vengeance (S28: 1-9) And there was a fighting between a man and his brother, and he does not want to forgive him, and was dying in his bed, he asked his brother to forgive him. His brother rejected his request, so he asked him once again and was rejected yet again, so he has done it the third time and was cruelly rejected again. Suddenly, the brother fell dead, like a stone, on the ground, and the sick man, who asked his brother to forgive him, was cured and left the hospital and told people around him, I saw an angel with a stick beaten my brother, and then placed it on me, so God cured me. It is necessary to be humble, because the lack of forgiveness of others is a kind of haughtiness and selfishness, and the man, who realized that the day will come when he must leave the world and its problems, will focus on the commandments of God before his eyes. Remember the commandments of God and don’t be rancor to the relatives and keep away from the humiliation and ignorance. As there is no fire without fuel, so every dispute has an arrogant party who is in the wrong and loves to be in a higher position. The quick anger and conflict without thinking have very bad consequences to the extent of possible bloodshed. It is from the mouth come out the blessing and the curse, and the soul winner is wise, and wise man who wins the people, and not the one who fights with them. In some cases, it is wisdom if problems resolved by peaceful means, so, do that, as it will save your family. Squealer can also separate a woman from her husband (Gossiper or the third tongue between two people) and intervene in the home and as a result, a divorce is happening (the expulsion of the Virtuous woman). This often happens if the parents are unwise with their children or a hateful friend to the extent that the strike of the gossiper is more powerful than a whip, so that those who fall by the sword are more merciful than those who fall by the tongue. Because the one who die by the sword gets one strike, but the strike by the tongue requires a long time in order to forget the scandal and defamation. Death by the blow of the tongue is terrible, because the evil man dies with sinful tongue and the Lord punishes him for ruining homes, and his tongue, which he uses it to lie and committed perjury. And the evil people who are away from God are led by these things, especially when some of them go to places of worship only to the criticism and destructive criticism, they demolish and do not build. If you spoke with them showing that this is wrong, they will accuse you of negatively, saying that you must criticize and say your opinion. They are not aware that, with their way, they are destroying the church. Criticism should present wisely, and you present your opinion calmly, and accept rejection of your opinion without getting upset or sad. The devil uses these people and stalking them as the teacher Peter is saying, demon is like a visiting lion. You must be very cautious and careful to your words and to your ear, and you must weight each word and know its credibility and validity. Also, you must guard your tongue from slipping and say the wrong thing; there are so many waiting for your mistakes. The Lord guards our words and gives us the wisdom when we open our mouth. CHAPTER 29 (S29: 1-10) Therefore, many people refuse to lend other people any money or anything because of such evil exploiters and deniers of favors. Unfortunately, they close doors for others by not helping them again, and they were right because they have a true example of such as that evil man. It is because of that evil person, who exploits the rich and bountiful and deceives them in order to take what he wants from them, and evades and delays the repayment and makes the rich stopping helping the poor, especially the frauds of them. However, Joshua of Sirach requests from the rich to be kind to the poor who are, in fact, really poor, and not refrain from helping them. And for the Lord's commandment that says “Give to whoever asks”. It must help the poor, and he come to you, do not abandon him, and do not accumulate treasures on earth to be eaten by the worms. It is necessary to send our treasures to heaven by helping the poor. This is the only place where the treasure does not rust or damaged, and the benefits from it is a hundred times. There is no bank in the world to give interest of hundred times except the bank of heaven, and if you do that, your money will remain owned by you, and you will find it with the special interest in the sky a hundred times. There is the other kind of people, the borrower, who goes bankrupt and takes the money and run. And the bank inevitably has to demand the money from the guarantor, and may have to auction the property of the guarantor who did so in good faith to assist the human evil which has affected other people and makes them avoiding helping others. Therefore, Joshua of Sirach draws our attention, that the guarantor may destroy himself, and the guarantee has destroyed others, and that some sponsors are fleeing from their homes because they are not able to pay this money, which does not blame them. The most important thing in life is bread, water, clothing and a roof to protect you. And it is best when you start your work to leave the house you are in, and depend on yourself. Unfortunately, when someone immigrates, he believes that the host can look after him to the end, but unfortunately, every person has his limitation and needs. Therefore, your host will not be able to care for you for long. So it is better for you to move to another place before he asks you to do so. Be satisfied with less and be independent, and you will be free in your life, instead of being under the control of the host. If you have an intention to travel from your country to another country, you should expect to, initially, do a modest work, such as working in restaurants, washing dishes, preparing food tables, and other things that you do not accept doing it in your country, but if you work faithfully, the Lord will bless you and guide you in your work to better works. There is a famous phrase in the migrant countries says: "works bring works”, but if you waited for easy works to come to you, this will never happen at all. If you overstayed your residence, and you are lacking sensitivity, and you start working, you must move out, and stand up on your feet, before you find the host asking you to vacate because there is another guest will be coming. Avoid humiliating and embarrassing yourself. And the church here is to help strangers at the start, so that they can find a place to live in it, but as I said, they believe that the church is responsible to provide for them. Instead of assisting the Church, they use the church, which opened its arms to them. So, when you start working, you must look for another place to live in order for a new one to use. Your thoughts should not be limited to only yourself but others as well.
The Prayer
(S23: 1-6)
"1 O Lord, father, and sovereign ruler of my life, leave me not to their counsel: nor suffer me to fall by them. 2 Who will set scourges over my thoughts, and the discipline of wisdom over my heart, that they spare me not in their ignorances, and that their sine may not appear: 3 Lest my ignorances increase, and my offences be multiplied, and my sine abound, and I fall before my adversaries, and my enemy rejoice over me? 4 O Lord, father, and God of my life, leave me not to their devices. 5 Give me not haughtiness of my eyes, and turn away from me all coveting. 6 Take from me the greediness of the belly, and let not the lusts of the flesh take hold of me, and give me not over to a shameless and foolish mind."
(1) prayer has importunity from the Lord in it, here, he is requesting from God to be saved from the most dangerous thing that can destroy life and that is his lips, because the one who knows how serious talk is, knows the humility and asks the Lord to give him the wisdom of his words out of his lips.
(S23: 7-14)
"7 Hear, O ye children, the discipline of the mouth: and he that will keep it shall not perish by his lips, nor be brought to fall into most wicked works. 8 A sinner is caught in his own vanity, and the proud and the evil speakers shall fall thereby. 9 Let not thy mouth be accustomed to swearing: for in it there are many falls. 10 And let not the naming of God be usual in thy mouth, and meddle not with the names of saints, for thou shalt not escape free from them. 11 For as a slave daily put to the question, is never without a blue mark: so every one that sweareth, and nameth, shall not be wholly pure from sin. 12 A man that sweareth much, shall be filled with iniquity, and a scourge shall not depart from his house. 13 And if he make it void, his sin shall be upon him: and if he dissemble it, he offendeth double: 14 And if he swear in vain, he shall not be justified: for his house shall be filled with his punishment."
(7-8) Here, Joshua of Sirach warns his children to guard their mouths from deviation. And fall in the wrong because of the mouth. Compare: " For the sins of the lips ruin draweth nigh to the evil mall: but the just shall escape out of distress." (Prov12: 13), "For the sinful words of their mouths and lips let them be caught in their pride. For the lies they have told under oath." (Psalm59: 13).
There are three types of oaths:
The oath that human uses, but, but does not truly meet.
The oath that human uses, without patient.
The oath that is false.
(S23: 15-20)
"15 There is also another speech opposite to death, let it not be found in the inheritance of Jacob. 16 For from the merciful all these things shall be taken away, and they shall not wallow in sins. 17 Let not thy mouth be accustomed to indiscreet speech: for therein is the word of sin. 18 Remember thy father and thy mother, for thou sittest is the midst of great men: 19 Lest God forget thee in their sight, and thou, by thy daily custom, be infatuated and suffer reproach: and wish that thou hadst not been born, and curse the day of thy nativity. 20 The man that is accustomed to opprobrious words, will never be corrected all the days of his life."
(15) Indication here to the words of blasphemy which was punished by stoning. Compare; " And he that blasphemeth the name of the Lord, dying let him die: all the multitude shall stone him, whether he be a native or a stranger. He that blasphemeth the name of the Lord, dying let him die." (Leviticus24: 16) And there is a story in the first Book of Kings, King Ahab, who wanted to take the field of Nabout Alisereili, Queen Isabel said to him not to mourn and orchestrated false accusation, that Nabot Albozoreili blasphemes God. They got him outside the city and pelted him with stones until he died. Whoever it blasphemes God would be isolated from the people and not has a legacy of Jacob (the heavenly kingdom) "10 And suborn two men, sons of Belial against him, and let them bear false witness: that he hath blasphemed God and the king: and then carry him out, and stone him, and so let him die. 11 And the men of his city, the ancients and nobles, that dwelt with him in the city, did as Jezabel had commanded them, and as it was written in the letters which she had sent to them: 12 They proclaimed a fast, and made Naboth sit among the chief of the people. 13 And bringing two men, sons of the devil, they made them sit against him: and they, like men of the devil, bore witness against him before the people, saying: Naboth hath blasphemed God and the king: wherefore they brought him forth without the city, and stoned him to death." (1 Kings 21: 10-13)
(S23: 21-31)
"21 Two sorts of men multiply sins, and the third bringeth wrath and destruction. 22 A hot soul is a burning fire, it will never be quenched, till it devour something. 23 And a man that is wicked in the mouth of his flesh, will not leave off till he hath kindled a fire. 24 To a man that is a fornicator all bread is sweet, he will not be weary of sinning unto the end. 25 Every man that passeth beyond his own bed, despising his own soul, and saying: Who seeth me? 26 Darkness compasseth me about, and the walls cover me, and no man seeth me: whom do I fear? the most High will not remember my sins. 27 And he understandeth not that his eye seeth all things, for such a man's fear driveth from him the fear of God, and the eyes of men fearing him: 28 And he knoweth not that the eyes of the Lord are far brighter than the sun, beholding round about all the ways of men, and the bottom of the deep, and looking into the hearts of men, into the most hidden parts. 29 For all things were known to the Lord God, before they were created: so also after they were perfected he beholdeth all things. 30 This man shall be punished in the streets of the city, and he shall be chased as a colt: and where he suspected not, he shall be taken. 31 And he shall be in disgrace with all men, because he understood not the fear of the Lord.”
(21-24)
Here begins the talk about the evil lust and the person who leaves his thoughts and his looks to the sin. The devil uses all these tools in order to traps him and burns him in the fire of lust. Furthermore, The man who says I am going to try this thing just for knowledge, or I will watch that scene or that movie or this magazine for knowledge. This man, unfortunately, is deluded by the devil. The lust ignites inside him and not resting until it burns him. And lust is impure, and the human adulterer is never satisfied, never had enough. Like the man who drink salt water, the more he drinks the more he is thirsty again, he burns his body with fire on earth, and will also end in the eternal fire if he doesn’t repent. Compare "9 Know you not that the unjust shall not possess the kingdom of God? Do not err: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, 10 Nor the effeminate, nor liers with mankind, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor railers, nor extortioners, shall possess the kingdom of God. 11 And such some of you were; but you are washed, but you are sanctified, but you are justified in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the Spirit of our God. 12 All things are lawful to me, but all things are not expedient. All things are lawful to me, but I will not be brought under the power of any. 13 Meat for the belly, and the belly for the meats; but God shall destroy both it and them: but the body is not for fornication, but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body. 14 Now God hath both raised up the Lord, and will raise us up also by his power. 15 Know you not that your bodies are the members of Christ ? Shall I then take the members of Christ, and make them the members of a harlot ? God forbid. 16 Or know you not, that he who is joined to a harlot, is made one body ? For they shall be, saith he, two in one flesh. 17 But he who is joined to the Lord, is one spirit. 18 Fly fornication. Every sin that a man doth, is without the body; but he that committeth fornication, sinneth against his own body. 19 Or know you not, that your members are the temple of the Holy Ghost, who is in you, whom you have from God; and you are not your own ? 20 For you are bought with a great price. Glorify and bear God in your body." (1Corin6: 9-20).
(25-31)
And poor is that man who betrays his wife and believed that she does not see him, and the darkness is around him, and closes the door firmly believed that by shutting the door no one will see him. And he goes down in secret and comes back in secret, unfortunately, he is afraid of the people, but forget that there is the Lord, who does not sleep or get drowsy and His Eyes go through the cover of darkness and scanning the hearts of people. Such poor person, unfortunately, what will he do when all secrets are revealed and sins declared and the where all the hidden declared in front of everyone? What to do in this day when it is too late? Unfortunately, this is a temporary happiness for a few minutes, but with eternal torment. Resistance can be difficult, but with the help of the Lord. we will triumph over sin and will have the eternal happiness and not for a few minutes only. And the one who does so will also be insulted when everyone knows about him, and that he is a traitor and was not successful, and wherever sit, will be insulted and despised by the people.
(S23: 32-38)
"32 So every woman also that leaveth her husband, and bringeth in an heir by another : 33 For first she hath been unfaithful to the law of the most High: and secondly, she hath offended against her husband: thirdly, she hath fornicated in adultery, end hath gotten her children of another man. 34 This woman shall be brought into the assembly, and inquisition shall be made of her children. 35 Her children shall not take root, and her branches shall bring forth no fruit. 36 She shall leave her memory to be cursed, and her infamy shall not be blotted out. 37 And they that remain shall know. that there is nothing better than the fear of God: and that there is nothing sweeter than to have regard to the commandments of the Lord. 38 It is great glory to follow the Lord for length of days shall be received from him."
(32-38)
After we talked about the adultery of men, here, we highlight the adultery of women, as it is the most dangerous. First, because a woman left her husband and had betrayed him, and secondly because they have disobeyed God’s law, and thirdly because she is defiled adultery and became pregnant with a strange man. She did not sin only for herself, but she did wrong to the children, which done no faults of their own throughout their lives, and will be despised by society. And also can be infected with mental illness, especially when they know that their father is illegal, or the father living with them is not their real father. And we find so many similar situations in the society.
The Wisdom Praises Itself
(S24: 1-10)
"1 Wisdom shall praise her own self, and shall be honoured in God, and shall glory in the midst of her people, 2 And shall open her mouth in the churches of the most High, and shall glorify herself in the sight of his power, 3 And in the midst of her own people she shall be exalted, and shall be ad- mired in the holy assembly. 4 And in the multitude of the elect she shall have praise, and among the blessed she shall be blessed, saying: 5 I came out of the mouth of the most High, the firstborn before all creatures: 6 I made that in the heavens there should rise light that never faileth, and as a cloud I covered all the earth: 7 I dwelt in the highest places, and my throne is in a pillar of a cloud. 8 I alone have compassed the circuit of heaven, and have penetrated into the bottom of the deep, and have walked in the waves of the sea, 9 And have stood in all the earth: and in every people, 10 And in every nation I have had the chief rule."
(1) "The wisdom praises itself" This is the central chapter, which speaks of wisdom and shows that God is visible in the body. The wisdom is the hypostasis of the word of the MasterJesus Christ which appears between his people. "1 God, who, at sundry times and in divers manners, spoke in times past to the fathers by the prophets, last of all, 2 In these days hath spoken to us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the world."(Hebrews1: 1-2)
In the law of faith, we say "We believe in one God, the Lord Jesus Christ the only Son of God, born of the Father before all ages"
(S24: 11-16)
"11 And by my power I have trodden under my feet the hearts of all the high and low: and in all these I sought rest, and I shall abide in the inheritance of the Lord. 12 Then the creator of all things commanded, and said to me: and he that made me, rested in my tabernacle, 13 And he said to me: Let thy dwelling be in Jacob, and thy inheritance in Israel, and take root in my elect. 14 From the beginning, and before the world, was I created, and unto the world to come I shall not cease to be, and in the holy dwelling place I have ministered before him. 15 And so was I established in Sion, and in the holy city likewise I rested, and my power was in Jerusalem. 16 And I took root in an honourable people, and in the portion of mg God his inheritance, and my abode is in the full assembly of saints."
(11-14) Here, explains the hypostasis of the wisdom that he would build a residence in Jacob, and will inherit in Jerusalem, Aloriossin claimed, that, as far as they are concern, Jesus Christ, although he is before every creature, the first creature that God created. And then he (the son) did the work of creation (view of the Aloriossin).
As for the opinion of the Pope, father Athanasius, and the fathers of the Church, the love of the Father who, with the wisdom, masterminded our salvation before our creation. Since the beginning, he masterminded the Incarnation to become the divine wisdom of God (his word) the eternal hypostasis, hypostasis of the son the non-separated, which embodied for the salvation of human beings, as if the hypostasisof the divine wisdom offers his promise that the eternal father is with him and plans for our salvation before our creation. As if he gets it ready before our existence, a sign of his attention to us, and his ability to achieve the high timeless validity plan of love towards us, which is, if we have done wrong, because of our freedom which we exploit wrongly (the sin of Adam), he gives his blood for us.
(15-16) The Lord has asked Moses to make him a sacred (a house where God can reside with them and have a shadow to the skies), that is how it is made in the heart also, a resident for the Lord carrying a picture for the skies. And the wisdom obeys the divine order and lives in Jerusalem, so Zion becomes God’s share, and the Lord is Zion’s share as well.
(S24: 17-31)
"17 I was exalted like a cedar in Libanus, and as a cypress tree on mount Sion. 18 I was exalted like a palm tree in Cades, and as a rose plant in Jericho: 19 As a fair olive tree in the plains, and as a plane tree by the water in the streets, was I exalted. 20 I gave a sweet smell like cinnamon. and aromatical balm: I yielded a sweet odour like the best myrrh: 21 And I perfumed my dwelling as storax, and galbanum, and onyx, and aloes, and as the frankincense not cut, and my odour is as the purest balm. 22 I have stretched out my branches as the turpentine tree, and my branches are of honour and grace. 23 As the vine I have brought forth a pleasant odour: and my flowers are the fruit of honour and riches. 24 I am the mother of fair love, and of fear, and of knowledge, and of holy hope. 25 In me is all grace of the way and of the truth, in me is all hope of life and of virtue. 26 Come over to me, all ye that desire me, and be filled with my fruits. 27 For my spirit is sweet above honey, and my inheritance above honey and the honeycomb. 28 My memory is unto everlasting generations. 29 They that eat me, shall yet hunger: and they that drink me, shall yet thirst. 30 He that hearkeneth to me, shall not be confounded: and they that work by me, shall not sin. 31 They that explain me shall have life everlasting."
(17) The rice in the Old Testament: The rice in the Old Testament always admired. Solomon, the wise, has considered the rice tree as the first of the trees. "And he treated about trees from the cedar that is in Libanus, unto the hyssop that cometh out of the wall: and he discoursed of beasts, and of fowls, and of creeping things, and of fishes. (1Kings4: 33) And it is the glory of Lebanon " It shall bud forth and blossom, and shall rejoice with joy and praise: the glory of Libanus is given to it: the beauty of Carmel, and Saron, they shall see the glory of the Lord, and the beauty of our God.." (Isaiah35: 2). The most threatened by Senhareab was, we will fight, and cut the cedars of Lebanon, and it is high and strong trees, as to say "The voice of the LORD is power; the voice of the LORD is splendor. 5 The voice of the LORD cracks the cedars; the LORD splinters the cedars of Lebanon" (Psalm 29: 4, 5).
And cedar trees are high “Yet I cast out the Amorrhite before their face: whose height was like the height of cedars, and who was strong as an oak: and I destroyed his fruit from above, and his roots beneath.” (2Amos 9) and the Syrians call it the Lord’s rice so far.
Narrative: A tree of the coniferous family tree, one of the main Lebanon trees, and used by Solomon in the building of the structure, "And Hiram sent to Solomon, saying: I have heard all thou hast desired of me: and I will do all thy desire concerning cedar trees, and fir trees.." (1Kings5: 8)
(24: 32-47)
"32 All these things are the book of life, and the covenant of the most High, and the knowledge of truth. 33 Moses commanded a law in the precepts of justices, and an inheritance to the house of Jacob, and the promises to Israel. 34 He appointed to David his servant to raise up of him a most mighty king, and sitting on the throne of glory for ever. 35 Who filleth up wisdom as the Phison, and as the Tigris in the days of the new fruits. 36 Who maketh understanding to abound as the Euphrates, who multiplieth it as the Jordan in the time of harvest. 37 Who sendeth knowledge as the light, and riseth up as Gehon in the time of the vintage. 38 Who first hath perfect knowledge of her, and a weaker shall not search her out. 39 For her thoughts are more vast than the sea, and her counsels more deep than the great ocean. 40 I, wisdom, have poured out rivers. 41 I, like a brook out of a river of a mighty water; I, like a channel of a river. and like an aqueduct, came out of paradise. 42 I said: I will water my garden of plants, and I will water abundantly the fruits of my meadow. 43 And behold my brook became a great river, and my river came near to a sea: 44 For I make doctrine to shine forth to all as the morning light, and I will declare it afar off. 45 I will penetrate to all the lower parts of the earth, and will behold all that sleep, and will enlighten all that hope in the Lord. 46 I will yet pour out doctrine as prophecy, and will leave it to them that seek wisdom, and will not cease to instruct their offspring even to the holy age. 47 See ye that I have not laboured for myself only, but for all that seek out the truth."
(32-33) The talk about wisdom is finished. And the writer will expand on the subject of correspondence between The Holy Law (Sharia) and the wisdom. And wisdom is not much different from the Sharia, as the wise human follows the Sharia, which acquires the wisdom.
(34) The Prophet status has happened with the birth of Prophet Jesus Christ, who sat on the throne of David forever.
(S25: 1-4)
"1 With three things my spirit is pleased, which are approved before God and men: 2 The concord of brethren, and the love of neighbours, and mall and wife that agree well together. 3 Three sorts my soul hateth, and I am greatly grieved at their life: 4 A poor man that is proud: a rich man that is a liar: an old man that is a fool, and doting."
(1-2) The beauty of wisdom is as follows:
Third: The Harmony = "The love of a man to his wife and vice versa." As for the harmony between a man and his wife, it is important in the Christian family, because there is no Christian family that has spiritual children the time. there is no harmony between the father and mother. Father and mother who have agreement and understanding among themselves, make peace with each other and filled the house with peace and love and from this house come out successful husbands and wives.
1. The arrogant poor: Immodesty is compelled by God, usually the rich are the arrogant ones, but to be poor and arrogant is really shameful. And people will ask him: For what you are arrogant? You should thank God for what you are. What would you have done if you have money? However, if the poor man was modest and humble, the Lord will bless his life, and bless the few that he has to become very much.
One of the most important qualities of the Holy man is the behavior. However for that behaved holy man, which supposed to have dignity, wisdom, experience and confidence, adultery is an indecent act, and it deserves punishment. However, if the holy man was reasonable, and committed to God, the Lord will bless his life and thoughts.
(S25: 5-8)
"5 The things that thou hast not gathered in thy youth, how shalt thou find them in thy old age? 6 O how comely is judgment for a grey head, and for ancients to know counsel! 7 O how comely is wisdom for the aged, and understanding and counsel to men of honour! 8 Much experience is the crown of old men, and the fear of God is their glory."
(5) The person who is unattached to God in his childhood and youth, he would face problems in his days. As for the man who associates himself with the Lord and serves the Lord, when he becomes old, he will have experience that we will need in our spiritual life. He is similar to who plants and reaps. Because the planting is in the days of childhood and the youth produce and the aged reaps. This is a lesson for us. Let’s plant a good crops during our youth. Such as memorizing the tune and reading the Bible and praying permanently and positively. So, when old age comes and the site is weak, then, we have memorized the prayer from the bottom of our heart and memorized the Bible and as His Holiness Pope Shenouda III teach us: “Memorize the Bible and the Bible will memorize you”
(S25: 9-16)
"9 Nine things that are not to be imagined by the heart have I magnified, and the tenth I will utter to men with my tongue. 10 A man that hath joy of his children: and he that liveth and seeth the fall of his enemies. 11 Blessed is he. that dwelleth with a wise woman, and that hath not slipped with his tongue, and that hath not served such as are unworthy of him. 12 Blessed is he that findeth a true friend, and that declareth justice to an ear that heareth. 13 How great is he that findeth wisdom and knowledge! but there is none above him that feareth the Lord. 14 The fear of God hath set itself above all things: 15 Blessed is the man, to whom it is given to have the fear of God: he that holdeth it, to whom shall he be likened? 16 The fear of God is the beginning of his love: and the beginning of faith is to be fast joined unto it."
(9-10) Nine out of ten types of people are happy. As for the tenth one, he is happier. He is that type of person who is happy with his children, the one who works hard from day one of his children’s life since their birth and cares for their spiritual life and disciplines them to become successful children and useful servants to their country and church. Unlike the parents who leave their children in the street, thinking that this is the proper education, and believe that they will become successful. But, unfortunately, they are the first one to reap what they planted in their children.
(S25: 17-36)
"17 The sadness of the heart is every plague: and the wickedness of a woman is all evil. 18 And a man will choose any plague, but the plague of the heart: 19 And ally wickedness, but the wickedness of a woman: 20 And any affliction, but the affliction from them that hate him: 21 And ally revenge, but the revenge of enemies. 22 There is no head worse than the head of a serpent: 23 And there is no anger above the anger of a woman. It will be more agreeable to abide with a lion and a dragon, than to dwell with a wicked woman. 24 The wickedness of a woman changeth her face: and she darkeneth her countenance as a bear: and sheweth it like sackcloth. In the midst of her neighbours, 25 Her husband groaned, and hearing he sighed a little. 26 All malice is shore to the malice of a woman, let the lot of sinners fall upon her. 27 As the climbing of a sandy way is to the feet of the aged, so is a wife full of tongue to a quiet man. 28 Look not upon a woman's beauty, and desire not a woman for beauty. 29 A woman's anger, and impudence, and confusion is great. 30 A woman, if she have superiority, is contrary to her husband. 31 A wicked woman abateth the courage, and maketh a heavy countenance, and a wounded heart. 32 Feeble hands, and disjointed knees, a woman that doth not make her husband happy. 33 From the woman came the beginning of sin, and by her we all die. 34 Give no issue to thy water, no, not a little: nor to a wicked woman liberty to gad abroad. 35 If she walk not at thy hand, she will confound thee in the sight of thy enemies. 36 Cut her off from thy flesh, lest she always abuse thee."
(17-19) Woman is a weak creature, and she feels that she is weak and she uses that as an emotional weapon which with it. She can control the men. As did Dalila with Shamshoon, after her sneaky trick, his heart was bleeding for the pain because he trusted her, and as a result he was punished pushing the windmill like animals. This is the reward for whoever trusts an evil woman.
Do not be fooled with the beauty of a woman. The real beauty is that the ornamental beauty of the Interior. As for the outer beauty, it is for visitors and will end after a short period. However, the ornamental interior is from the spiritual virtues which will benefit your children all your life with her. Do not marry a woman for her beauty, but marry the women for her spiritual virtues and her relation with Christ. It is a serious mistake to find an authoritarian woman. Such house would be based on a mistake and has scattered boys. However, the House, where the role of the father done by the mother, and represents the role of the mother is the father, children will be brought up in this wrong principle. And if girls are in the house, they will imitate their mother. An evil woman causes the grief for the heart of her husband and hurts the heart.
"1 Happy is the husband of a good wife: for the number of his years is double. 2 A virtuous woman rejoiceth her husband: and shall fulfil the years of his life in peace. 3 A good wife is a good portion, she shall be given in the portion of them that fear God, to a man for his good deeds. 4 Rich or poor, if his heart is good, his countenance shall be cheerful at all times. 5 of three things my heart hath been afraid, and at the fourth my face hath trembled: 6 the accusation of a city, and the gathering together of the people: 7 and a false calumny, all are more grievous than death. 8 A jealous woman is the grief and mourning of the heart. 9 With a jealous woman is a scourge of the tongue which communicateth with all."
(1-4) How happy would be the husband of the virtuous wife? And how much peace of mind where the house is quite calm and the children are fearing God, especially if this man was a servant at the church, and the woman has provided the right atmosphere for him to attend the meetings of the service and to pray the time she serves her domestic duty. His days will be blessed much time over, and good reputation. Virtuous women and rejoice in the heart of her husband and go through the years with him in peace. Diseases such as diabetes and heart conditions usually brought up by upset and stress at home, because of constant bickering and brawl. The man who lives in peace in his home, you will find him optimistic and happy, because the face and tongue are affected by the heart. Because the "A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth that which is evil. For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh." (Luke6: 45). And the money does not help the joy of the outer face, it is the present of peace in the family home.
1. Complaint the city: And that is the rumor, as it happened in the village of El-Kosheh when they attacked Christians and killed them.
(S26: 10-15)
"10 As a yoke of oxen that is moved to and fro, so also is a wicked woman: he that hath hold of her, is as he that taketh hold of a scorpion. 11 A drunken woman is a great wrath: and her reproach and shame shall not be hid. 12 The fornication of a woman shall be known by the haughtiness of her eyes, and by her eyelids. 13 On a daughter that turneth not away herself, set a strict watch: lest finding an opportunity she abuse herself. 14 Take heed of the impudence of her eyes, and wonder not if she slight thee. 15 She will open her mouth as a thirsty traveller to the fountain, and will drink of every water near her, and will sit down by every hedge, and open her quiver against every arrow, until she fail."
The husband of an evil woman is like someone holding a scorpion; with its evil, it will bite him and destroys his life and his home. There is no reasonable man, which can hold a scorpion. This like the drunken woman, she is a disgrace to her family and her children. And here in Australia, there are many incidents resulted from drunkenness. When the drunken man loses his mind and loses the beautiful picture that is God's creation, and act as animal and does things not worthy of the children of God.
(S26: 16-23)
"16 The grace of a diligent woman shall delight her husband, and shall fat his bones. 17 Her discipline is the gift of God. 18 Such is a wise and silent woman, and there is nothing so much worth as a well instructed soul. 19 A holy and shamefaced woman is grace upon grace. 20 And no price is worthy of a continent soul. 21 As the sun when it riseth to the world in the high places of God, so is the beauty of a good wife for the ornament of her house. 22 As the lamp shining upon the holy candlestick, so is the beauty of the face in a ripe age. 23 As golden pillars upon bases of silver, so are the firm feet upon the soles of a steady woman."
A woman, such as the sun who rises from the highest sky, it rises on her home, and decorates it and makes it beautiful. The clean house and its decorations, come from the beauty of the virtuous woman.
(S26: 24-28)
"24 As everlasting foundations upon a solid rock, so the commandments of God In the heart of a holy woman. 25 at two things my heart is grieved, and the third bringeth anger upon me: 26 a man of was fainting through poverty: and a man of sense despised: 27 and he that passeth over from justice to sin, God hath prepared such an one for the sword. 28 Two sorts of callings have appeared to me hard and dangerous: a merchant is hardly free from negligence: and a huckster shall not be justified from the sins of the lips."
The Trade and the Honesty
(S27: 1-4)
"1 Through poverty many have sinned: and he that seeketh to be enriched, turneth away his eye. 2 As a stake sticketh fast in the midst of the joining of stones, so also in the midst of selling and buying, sin shall stick fast. 3 Sin shall be destroyed with the sinner. 4 Unless thou hold thyself diligently in the fear of the Lord, thy house shall quickly be overthrown."
(1)So many made mistakes for their affection for the money. And the person, who loves money, leaves the helping of the poor, but wise man makes the love of people more important than the love of money. There is a story about a man gave 10% of his income to the poor. He found his income is increasing. So he gave 20%, so his income has increased more. And when he gave 30%, his income has increased very much to enable him to give 90% of his income and use only 10% for his living, and the Lord’s blessing was with him in a strange way. And the 90% of the income became involved in the printing of the Bible and sold to the faithful to only 5 pounds, even though the real price was about 35 pounds.
(S27: 5-8)
"5 As when one sifteth with a sieve, the dust will remain: so will the perplexity of a man in his thoughts. 6 The furnace trieth the potter's vessels, and the trial of affliction just men. 7 Be the dressing of a tree sheweth the fruit thereof, so a word out of the thought of the heart of man. 8 Praise not a man before he speaketh, for this is the trial of men."
(5-8) People judge you from what you say, but usually if you are a servant, Custodian, or have anything could be asked about. Ask the Lord to give you the wisdom and speak your tongue. Because you "For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned." (Matt12: 37).
Here, Joshua of Sirach says that any bad talk will remain for you, you will be held accountable, and people usually forget every good thing you do, and remember only the mistakes. Like the good pot that will bear a high temperature, not like the bad pot that will be broken by heat. Furthermore, the good fruit of the tree known to have a good root and was well looked after by the farmer, with fertilizers and water. Also, a man could be tested after he finishes talking. Man would bring out the virtues of righteousness from the treasure of his heart. A man talks from the generosity of his heart. Do not praise a man before he speaks, because you don’t know him before then. Socratessaid to someone, "Talk until I see you" And the Book of Matthews said, “From their fruits, you know them.”
(S27: 9-16)
"9 If thou followest justice, thou shalt obtain her: and shalt put her on as a long robe of honour, and thou shalt dwell with her: and she shall protect thee for ever, and in the day of acknowledgment thou shalt find a strong foundation. 10 Birds resort unto their like: so truth will return to them that practise her. 11 The lion always lieth in wait for prey: so do sine for them that work iniquities. 12 A holy man continueth in wisdom as the sun: but a fool is changed as the moon. 13 In the midst of the unwise keep in the word till its time: but be continually among men that think. 14 The discourse of sinners is hateful, and their laughter is at the pleasures of sin. 15 The speech that sweareth much shall make the hair of the head stand upright: and its irreverence shall make one stop his ears. 16 Is the quarrels of the proud are the shedding of blood: and their cursing is a grievous hearing."
(9) The fair man is the one who governs justly among the people; he always follows Justice, not injustice. Such a person will always be helped and victorious by the Lord because he is fair in his dealing with people. Because the Lord is the just itself, and we believe and say in the law of faith "God is just from God of just."
(S27: 17-24)
"17 He that discloseth the secret of a friend loseth his credit, and shall never find a friend to his mind. 18 Love thy neighbour, and be joined to him with fidelity. 19 But if thou discover his secrets, follow no more after him. 20 For as a man that destroyeth his friend, so also is he that destroyeth the friendship of his neighbour. 21 And as one that letteth a bird go out of his hand, so hast thou let thy neighbour go, and thou shalt not get him again. 22 Follow after him no more, for he is gone afar off, he is fled, as a roe escaped out of the snare: because his soul is wounded. 23 Thou canst no more bind him up. And of a curse there is reconciliation: 24 But to disclose the secrets of a friend, leaveth no hope to an unhappy soul."
Speaking here, Joshua of Sirach on the importance of the true friend, who is honest and comes to you for assistance and to seek help, and you helped him, and he would get very sad if you knew his secret, and you divulged his secret or a stranger knew his secret. This is considered to be dishonesty from you for the person who trusted you with his secrets and privacy. Love a friend and be honest with him to the end, because it is very difficult to repair a rift in the friendship, especially if it is private things and personal secrets. If you divulge his secrets, you will lose him forever, and if disclose it, you will not be his friend no more, but an enemy, because the enemy is the one who exposes.
(S27: 25-33)
"25 He that winketh with the eye forgeth wicked things, and no man will cast him off: 26 In the sight of thy eyes he will sweeten his mouth, and will admire thy words: but at the last he will writhe his mouth, and on thy words he will lay a stumblingblock. 27 I have hated many things, but not like him, and the Lord will hate him. 28 If one cast a stone on high, it will fall upon his own head: and the deceitful stroke will wound the deceitful. 29 He that diggeth a pit, shall fall into it: and he that setteth a stone for his neighbour, shall stumble upon it: and he that layeth a snare for another, shall perish in it. 30 A mischievous counsel shall be rolled back upon the author, and he shall not know from whence it cometh to him. 31 Mockery and reproach are of the proud, and vengeance as a lion shall lie in wait for him. 32 They shall perish in a snare that are delighted with the fall of the just: and sorrow shall consume them before they die. 33 Anger and fury are both of them abominable, and the sinful man shall be subject to them."
(25-27) The Tartuffe man makes up evils, and anyone knows him keeps away from him. He is a good talker and likes everything you say to him. However, he talks bad about you behind your back. This often occurs in the workplace, especially among people who have no fear of the Lord in their hearts, you find them deceiving each other, and if one of them is absent, they talk about him, and if you don’t participate with them, they turn on you. The deceiving man is hated by people and the Lord abhors all his works. Such man is more evil to the church and the church’s fathers, and he becomes more deceiving in the face of the priest, he is laughing with him like a friend, and behind his back speaking about him, this Tartuffe person will be punished severely by God.
"1 He that seeketh to revenge himself, shall find vengeance from the Lord, and he will surely keep his sins in remembrance. 2 Forgive thy neighbour if he hath hurl thee: and then shall thy sins be forgiven to thee when thou prayest. 3 Man to man reserveth anger, and doth he seek remedy of God? 4 He hath no mercy on a man like himself, and doth he entreat for his own sins? 5 He that is but flesh, nourisheth anger, and doth he ask forgiveness of God? who shall obtain pardon for his sins? 6 Remember thy last things, and let enmity cease: 7 For corruption and death hang over in his commandments. 8 Remember the fear of God, and be not angry with thy neighbour. 9 Remember the covenant of the most High, and overlook the ignorance of thy neighbour."
Forgive people for their sliding, so your Father, who is in heaven, will forgive your sliding. As did the Bishop Abraam, when two of the clergy have a quarrel between them, and no one could find any solution to this conflict, he said to them, let us pray the Lord's prayer, "Our Father, who are in heaven." When he arrived at the part "and forgive us our sins", he said, "and do not forgive our sins, because we do not forgive who is guilty for us” He repeated three times, the two men knew what The Bishop Abraam meant. A conclusion that if we did not forgive the sins of others to us, how would the Lord forgives us. The Lord Jesus tells us: "And when you shall stand to pray, forgive, if you have aught against any man; that your Father also, who is in heaven, may forgive you your sins." (Mark11: 25).
A person who remembers death, and remembers illness, and why he did not forgive his brother, may lose his eternal life because of lack of forgiveness to others.
(S28: 10-14)
"10 Refrain from strife, and thou shalt diminish thy sine: 11 For a passionate man kindleth strife, and a sinful man will trouble his friends, and bring in debate in the midst of them that are at peace. 12 For as the wood of the forest is, so the fire burneth: and as a man's strength is, so shall his anger be, and according to his riches he shall increase his anger. 13 A hasty contention kindleth a fire: and a hasty quarrel sheddeth blood: and a tongue that beareth witness bringeth death. 14 If thou blow the spark, it shall burn as a fire: and if thou spit upon it, it shall be quenched: both come out of the mouth."
Wise man does not stir anger of others, and blames himself until problems subside. If, in a conflict situation between any two and one of them two did not waive his right, unfortunately, the problems will be solved with bloodshed. This often occurs when there is a dispute, other relatives interfere, and things get worse and the rest of the battle heats up. The person in the wrong is unwise man; he confuses his friends so that some of his peaceful friends get involved reluctantly in this conflict and dissension among them happen.
(S28: 15-22)
"15 The whisperer and the double tongued is accursed: for he hath troubled many that were at peace. 16 The tongue of a third person hath disquieted many, and scattered them from nation to nation. 17 It hath destroyed the strong cities of the rich, and hath overthrown the houses of great men. 18 It hath cut in pieces the forces of people, and undone strong nations. 19 The tongue of a third person hath cast out valiant women, and deprived them of their labours. 20 He that hearkeneth to it, shall never have rest, neither shall he have a friend in whom he may repose. 21 The stroke of a whip maketh a blue mark: but the stroke of the tongue will break the bones. 22 Many have fallen by the edge of the sword, but not so many as have perished by their own tongue."
The squealer (gossiper) is the person who loves to condemn others in their absence, but the double face person is the hypocrite, who speaks of the opposite of what is on his mind. The third is the person, which does not mean good to the parties of the conflict, he harms the listener and the parties involved in the dispute and that is why he is called the Troika. He may double cross too many people or many nations, and turns great cities and destroys the homes of great people.
(S28: 23-30)
"23 Blessed is he that is defended from a wicked tongue, that hath not passed into the wrath thereof, and that hath not drawn the yoke thereof, and hath not been bound in its bands. 24 For its yoke is a yoke of iron: and its bands are bands of brass. 25 The death thereof is a most evil death: and hell is preferable to it. 26 Its continuance shall not be for a long time, but it shall possess the ways of the unjust: and the just shall not be burnt with its flame. 27 They that forsake God shall fall into it, and it shall burn in them, and shall not be quenched, and it shall be sent upon them as a lion, and as a leopard it shall tear them. 28 Hedge in thy ears with thorns, hear not a wicked tongue, and make doors and bars to thy mouth. 29 Melt down thy gold and silver, and make a balance for thy words, and a just bridle for thy mouth: 30 And take heed lest thou slip with thy tongue, and fall in the sight of thy enemies who lie in wait for thee, and thy fall be incurable unto death."
Congratulations to the cautious person who is aware of the squealers and not affected by their talk so quickly, but examines everything that said to him.
The Borrowing and the guarantee
"1 He that sheweth mercy, lendeth to his neighbour: and he that is stronger in hand, keepeth the commandments. 2 Lend to thy neighbour in the time of his need, and pay thou thy neighbour again in due time. 3 Reap thy word, and deal faithfully with him: and thou shalt always find that which is necessary for thee.4 Many have looked upon a thing lent as a thing found, and have given trouble to them that helped them. 5 Till they receive, they kiss the hands of the lender, and in promises they humble their voice: 6 But when they should repay, they will ask time, and will return tedious and murmuring words, and will complain of the time: 7 And if he be able to pay, he will stand off, he will scarce pay one half, and will count it as if he had found it: 8 But if not, he will defraud him of his money, and he shall get him for an enemy without cause: 9 And he will pay him with reproaches and curses, and instead of honour and good turn will repay him injuries. 10 Many have refused to lend, not out of wickedness, but they were afraid to be defrauded without cause."
The one, who pays money to a relative, needs to have some clemency for him. And the one, who helps the poor, needs to remember the commandments and does not take any high interest and have clemency with him. And for the poor, who wishes to borrow money from a man, he must have the money to meet his commitment on the agreed time. Because after some borrow the money, somehow believes that it is his property and does not have to repay it in a timely manner. Before borrowing the money, he was begging and kissing the hands in order to borrow the money or find anyone to lend it to him. And after he got the money and time come for repayment, he apologizes for not returning of money, and complains about his situations and makes excuses of the hard and difficult time, and he has no income and many other excuses to postpone the return of the money. And if pressure is to apply to him, he will pay only half the amount, and postpones the rest and becomes an enemy just because he is demanding his money. And he condemns his lender instead of commends him, and rewards him rather than offends him. Instead, he should praise the Lord and thank him. Offset to thank this person and pray for him, the opposite occurred, and he becomes the enemy.
(S29: 11-17)
"11 But yet towards the poor be thou more hearty, and delay not to shew him mercy. 12 Help the poor because of the commandment: and send him not away empty handed because of his poverty. 13 Lose thy money for thy brother and thy friend: and hide it not under a stone to be lost. 14 Place thy treasure in the commandments of the most High, and it shall bring thee more profit than gold. 15 Shut up alms in the heart of the poor, and it shall obtain help for thee against all evil. 16 Better than the shield of the mighty, and better than the spear: 17 It shall fight for thee against thy enemy."
A story took place in the life of a Bishop Abram: Some of the town leaders gave him a sum of money (about 200 pounds) in order to keep it with him for building the archbishopric, and after completion of the engineering design, they ask for the money to start the construction of the project. The Bishop said to them, I already built a house for you in the sky. And there were, actually, one of the poor came to him and the bishop gave him a part of the amount and the remainder distributed to the poor brothers of Christ.
The charity saves you from hell, and benefits you in your life and the Lord blesses your stock and crops and your children. The one, who tastes the blessing of the giving, cannot stop giving the poor. Charity saves you from the devil trap, because the closest friends to the devil are the lovers of money and who abstain from helping the poor. Because virtue is the virtue of giving the love and non-giving is a selfishness from the man, that is why the devil can find many ways to fight the sons of God. Especially in these days where people thought that everything is work and money, and they're not concerned about anything else but the dollar.
(S29: 18-26)
"18 A good man is surety for his neighbour: and he that hath lost shame, will leave him to himself. 19 Forget not the kindness of thy surety: for he hath given his life for thee. 20 The sinner and the unclean fleeth from his surety. 21 A sinner attributeth to himself the goods of his surety: and he that is of an unthankful mind will leave him that delivered him. 22 A man is surety for his neighbour: and when he hath lost all shame, he shall forsake him. 23 Evil suretyship hath undone many of good estate, and hath tossed them as a wave of the sea. 24 It hath made powerful men to go from place to place round about, and they have wandered in strange countries. 25 A sinner that transgresseth the commandment of the Lord, shall fall into an evil suretyship: and he that undertaketh many things, shall fall into judgment. 26 Recover thy neighbour according to thy power, and take heed to thyself that thou fall not."
Here, Joshua of Sirach is mentioning the issue of the guarantor, if there is a human being who is involved in a project and does not have sufficient assets, the bank refuses to give him the loan until he finds a guarantor that is rich or has assets and/or properties to cover the loan. Unfortunately, there are two types of people, the one, who appreciates the beautiful nature of the guarantor and helps him for his honesty and good faith, and works hard to repay the loan to the bank. In this way, he does no harm to the guarantor, so he will be able to help another human being and guarantees him, and so on.
On the other hand, Joshua of Sirach warns us, that there are some evil sponsors who exploit the poor when they guarantee them, and he asked them not to exploit the poor because it could become in the hands of the judiciary. The person with no conscience is a person who exploits the poor who need him.
There is a true story about a saint was living in Egypt, has two factories for the manufacture of leather and footwear. He was a very rich man, and one trader from Morocco asked him to be a guarantor in a large trade transaction. The holy man, in good faith, did guarantee him because he knew that trader and dealt with him before. Unfortunately, the trader did not honor the deal and declared bankrupt, and the saint went to court, and he was asked to lie in order to avoid losing anything, but he denied doing that and sacrificed his assets to gain the eternal life. (This story was taken from the book: The heirs of the universe)
(S29: 27-34)
"27 The chief thing for man's life is water and bread, and clothing, and a house to cover shame. 28 Better is the poor man's fare under a roof of boards, than sumptuous cheer abroad in another man's house. 29 Be contented with little instead of much, and thou shalt not hear the reproach of going abroad. 30 It is a miserable life to go as a guest from house to house: for where a man is a stranger, he shall not deal confidently, nor open his mouth. 31 He shall entertain and feed, and give drink to the unthankful, and moreover he shall hear bitter words. 32 Go, stranger, and furnish the table, and give others to eat what thou hast in thy hand. 33 Give place to the honourable presence of my friends: for I want my house, my brother being to be lodged with me. 34 These things are grievous to a man of understanding: the upbraiding of houseroom, and the reproaching of the lender."
الثلاثاء, 20 اكتوبر, 2009
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