CHAPTER 30

Upbringing of the Children

(S30: 1-13)
"1 He that loveth his son, frequently chastiseth him, that he may rejoice in his latter end, and not grope after the doors of his neighbours. 2 He that instructeth his son shall be praised in him, and shall glory in him in the midst of them of his household. 3 He that teacheth his son, maketh his enemy jealous, and in the midst of his friends he shall glory in him. 4 His father is dead, and he is as if he were not dead: for he hath left one behind him that is like himself. 5 While he lived he saw and rejoiced in him: and when he died he was not sorrowful, neither was he confounded before his enemies. 6 For he left behind him a defender of his house against his enemies, and one that will requite kindness to his friends. 7 For the souls of his sons he shall bind up his wounds, and at every cry his bowels shall be troubled. 8 A horse not broken becometh stubborn, and a child left to himself will become headstrong. 9 Give thy son his way, and he shall make thee afraid: play with him, and he shall make thee sorrowful. 10 Laugh not with him, lest thou have sorrow, and at the last thy teeth be set on edge. 11 Give him not liberty in his youth, and wink not at his devices. 12 Bow down his neck while he is young, and beat his sides while he is a child, lest he grow stubborn, and regard thee not, and so be a sorrow of heart to thee. 13 Instruct thy son, and labour about him, lest his lewd behaviour be an offence to thee."

(1-3) Joshua of Sirach, here; He speaks with the wisdom of the Holy Spirit about upbringing and disciplining the children. I would like to inform you that the discipline of children is wisdom and blessing from the Lord. Unfortunately, not all parents can successfully raise the children spiritually, educationally, and psychologically, because the parents need to know the psychological stages of their children. Some migrant countries are interested in giving too much attention to children, to a degree, which could spoil the children, so that absolute freedom blights many.

 
Unfortunately, many families believe that the non-beating is a good way for the upbringing of the children. However, in some situations we need to take a firm stand for the child to know what he did is wrong and must not do that again, and that there is a line that is not permitted to be crossed. There must be a reward and punishment. On the other hand, It must give children the love, because, with love you can do anything. For example, if it was necessary to use light beatings as a form of punishment, it would be done wisely on the back of the child hand, and when he starts to cry, stop beating him to explain to him why you punished him. Some of the actions of the child can cause serious disadvantages for you, for example, when a child is out without the mother’s permission or leaves the mother’s hand, and she looks for him and can’t find him, or play and break things not belong to him. So many things are happenings from our children every day.

 
Looking at the verses of this chapter, Joshua of Sirach is explaining, in details, and says that the father, who loves his son, disciplines him, because without education and discipline, the future of these children is lost, their lives are full of entertainment, especially if he is the only child or a boy with three girls, for example. Unfortunately, some families give more attention to boys than girls do.

The person, who disciplines his son, is proud of him, and people are happy for this kind of upbringing. And when you are raising a child in a good way in God’s fear, you are raising an entire generation because of this child will grow up and marry and have families, and will raise his children the same way that he brought up. Unlike the corrupt son, it must be a miracle to see his children associated with the church because it is very difficult. The man, who raises his son in fear of the Lord and submits to the Lord a deacon in a young age, is such as the cultivated fruit tree in the house of God, able to defeat the devil who will test him with many problems, such as trying to stop him from doing his service to the church. An example of this is that we often find the father is committed to churching and wants his children to be raised in the Church, but the Satan upsets the people of his home and say, the church is not  everything, the children will become confused, and trying to delay him from going to church. Sometimes the mother is associated with the church and the father is the one who is blocking her from trying to go to church and the service.  

(4) If the father has passed away and was raising his son in the fear of God, he, this way, has left a treasure to all his children of the good upbringing of them, which with it, they could face the problems of life, and they will walk on his steps and upbringing.  

(5) And the father, who works hard to raise his kids, will feel happy and rejoicing in his harvest on earth, and will harvest the blessing of the good raising of his children in the fear of the Lord, when he climbs to the sky. And we always say to parents that the most important period in the upbringing of children is the first period of their lives, as did mother of Moses in her upbringing and her impact on him was strange when he got older. And the upbringing of Timothy (student of Paul the Apostle) by his grandmother and his mother. If the financial situation of the family does not require the mother to work, it is the ultimate wisdom that she would stay home full-time and raises her children. Now in the United States after studying the case of emerging generations of families and found an increase in drug abuse and increase of the rate of crime. The State preferred to pay mothers the equivalent of one half of salary to focus on bringing up her children at home.  

(6) If the child has grown up in his father’s culture, who has his own way in the house, unfortunately, if the father is nervous or smokes, for example, his son will become like him. He could change and repair these errors with his children. However, if the father is a loveable man and has many good virtues, His son will learn it, and he will welcome his father’s spiritual friends, who were with them and guide them to the spiritual life. The Bible says "Remember your prelates who have spoken the word of God to you; whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation." (Hebrews13: 7)  

(7) As for the one, who spoiled his son, and his son grown up like that, the father will suffer from his wounds he gets from the arrows of the evil enemy in his life. Because his life will be troubled or wounds caused by his son.  

(8) The son is like a horse, if you don’t train him well, he will be bolting and may causes you injury or kill you, like the son, who was not raised in a good upbringing, he would be rude with you and others, and they will say about that son: (Rude).  

(9-10) If you spoil your son, you lost him, and if you don’t guide him firmly, he will make you sad in your life.

 
There is a popular saying, full of wisdom, such as:

"Lucky the one, who makes me cry and made people to cry for me, and did not make me laugh nor made people laughed at me”. If you don’t discipline your child and be firm with him and took everything with him in a funny way, he will upset you at the end and from your anger you will crush your teeth.  

(11) Don’t give him freedom anytime when he is young, give him trust, but you must know who are his friends and who are associated with him, and if he made a mistake, he should be punished, and if he has done of good conduct, he is to be encouraged.  

(12) The most important thing in the upbringing of a child is to be of a child-rearing, such as the small green lute, which you can pose it as you want, but with caution that you don’t break it. However, when it grows to be a tree, you will look at him and unable to do anything.  

(13) Discipline your son with iron rod, so that when he grows up, does not do things that make you ashamed of hearing it. Teach your son the giving from younger age, and don’t teach him the taking all the way, so he doesn’t believe that kid’s task is, only, to take from the parent, and there is no period for giving. When parent grow old, children seem to forget them. 

(S30: 14-21)
"14 Better is a poor man who is sound, and strong of constitution, than a rich man who is weak and afflicted with evils. 15 Health of the soul in holiness of justice, is better then all gold and silver: and a sound body, than immense revenues. 16 There is no riches above the riches of the health of the body: and there is no pleasure above the joy of the heart. 17 Better is death than a bitter life: and everlasting rest, than continual sickness. 18 Good things that are hidden in a mouth that is shut, are as masses of meat set about a grave. 19 What good shall an offering do to an idol? for it can neither eat, nor smell: 20 So is he that is persecuted by the Lord, bearing the reward of his iniquity: 21 He seeth with his eyes, and groaneth, as an eunuch embracing a virgin, and sighing."

(14) Man must always thank the Lord for his health, because only the sick man knows the value of the human health. However, unfortunately, the poor man, who complains and wants to become rich, then God makes him rich, but he gets sick and unable to enjoy his wealth. We know many of the rich people, unfortunately, not able to eat some kind of food. All what they can eat is the tasteless stew cooked especially for sick people. Those with money but not be able to enjoy it.  

(15) Health is the most important thing to exist, because health can bring wealth, but wealth cannot bring health. To the extent that Joshua of Sirach has mentioned here that the health and wellness are more important than the gold. Unfortunately, some people sacrifice their health and their lives for trivial things.  

(16) There is no money equivalent to physical strength and no pleasure better than the happiness of heart, because the joy of the world is temporarily, but the spiritual joy is heavenly joy, as we say in the Mass: Fill our hearts with joy and bliss. It is a beautiful and strong prayer.  

(17) Sick man stays in bed, and suffers, we ask the Lord to bless him and make him well, but when this person dies, some people saddened and object to the will of God. Unlike some people who are believers, who are pleased that the Lord has comforted him and freed him from troubles and went to the eternal city.  

(18-19) The rich sick man, who cannot eat, his money is in no benefit to him. He is like idols, they offer it food and everything else, but it cannot eat anything because stones cannot eat or smell anything.

(Psalm115: 4-7) "4 Their idols are silver and gold, the work of human hands. 5 They have mouths but do not speak, eyes but do not see. 6 They have ears but they do not hear, noses but do not smell. 7 They have hands but do not feel, feet but do not walk, and no sound rises from their throats."  

(20-21) here, the meaning is common, between the severity of desire and the severity of deprivation. And if the Lord gave the blessing of illness to someone, and he complained, he will lose the blessing of that illness, but if he took it with thanks and praise, the Lord will raise such experience of him. Whoever has the money must be humble and modest so that the Lord does not hit him with illness and destroy him. Because whoever has the money and be arrogant, will not be able to break such arrogant except with illness, to wake up to the true that he is from dust and ashes and to the dust he will return.  

(S30: 22-27)
"22 Give not up thy soul to sadness, and afflict not thyself in thy own counsel. 23 The joyfulness of the heart, is the life of a man, and a never failing treasure of holiness: and the joy of a man is length of life. 24 Have pity on thy own soul, pleasing God, and contain thyself: gather up thy heart in his holiness: and drive away sadness far from thee. 25 For sadness hath killed many, and there is no profit in it. 26 Envy and anger shorten a man's days, and pensiveness will bring old age before the time. 27 A Cheerful and good heart is always feasting: for his banquets are prepared with diligence."

(22) The devil always tries to disable the spiritual man, who praises the Lord, uses problems or puts him in difficult situations to sadden him and to obstruct him from his work of God and the service, but the believer, who always trusts the Lord, says all goods, and everything worked together for the good. If it was an experiment, the Lord will turn it for good, and if it was an illness, let’s take the blessing of the illness. Leave everything to the Lord and you will rest.  

(23) The one, who walks with God, God always rejoices in his heart, and by depending on the Lord, he sees many support, and sometimes when he attends Mass, you find that his heart is happy, or when he prays, you find that he has internal joy without knowing the reason. However, the reason is the support from the Lord and the joy of the heart. The person, who depends on God and has a happy heart, will avoid many illnesses that would destroy his life, such as: Blood pressure, heart disease and mental illness. If there was peace in the heart, the person will live happy and longer days on earth.  

(24) The Lord says: Be happy in the Lord all time. The believer must be happy with the Lord and his salvation, and expels the sadness. We find His Holiness the Pope always optimistic and laugh, yet if you went to a guest or a visitor or talked to someone, you will find the depression and the complaint and the dissatisfaction.  

(25) And nothing comes from behind the sadness except illness and the escape of people from you because they cannot bear the sadness for a long time. I know a man, who lost his wife and was unable to accept the situation and believes it is the will of God and that our lives have to end one day. Unfortunately, he got bogged in the grief and visits the tomb every day after work. Separated from the people and entered in a vicious circle that no one could get him out of it.  

(26) Jealousy brings sadness, depression, and problems and jealousy brings the dispute, sadness and all these things together help to shorten the natural life of the human, or assist in shortening the duration of the marriage. The person must trust the other party and also does not let jealousy control all his life. Why are you late? Why? Why? ….. As if he is married to a prosecutor.  

(27) Sometimes a person hears some good news, you find him with a good appetite, as for the sad man, he can’t eat. The Lord is able to make the joy of your hearts at all time.

CHAPTER 31

The Money

(S31: 1-11)
"1 Watching for riches consumeth the flesh, and the thought thereof driveth away sleep. 2 The thinking beforehand turneth away the understanding, and a grievous sickness maketh the soul sober. 3 The rich man hath laboured in gathering riches together, and when he resteth he shall be filled with his goods. 4 The poor man hath laboured in his low way of life, and in the end he is still poor. 5 He that loveth gold, shall not be justified: and he that followeth after corruption, shall be filled with it. 6 Many have been brought to fall for gold, and the beauty thereof hath been their ruin. 7 Gold is a stumblingblock to them that sacrifice to it: woe to them that eagerly follow after it, and every fool shall perish by it. 8 Blessed is the rich man that is found without blemish: and that hath not gone after gold, nor put his trust in money nor in treasures. 9 Who is he, and we will praise him? for he hath done wonderful things in his life. 10 Who hath been tried thereby, and made perfect, he shall have glory everlasting. He that could have transgressed, and hath not transgressed: and could do evil things, and hath not done them: 11 Therefore are his goods established in the Lord, and all the church of the saints shall declare his alms."

(1-2) Damned is the green paper (the dollar), which makes people do anything for it, even if they can sell themselves in exchange for a handful of dollars, they will do it, and lose their values and their children and their lives, even the sleep that is a natural thing and part of the requirements of life. The Lord created man to sleep and rest, but some people, busy with money, cannot sleep naturally, instead their sleep is full of worry and concerns. And the lack of sleep brings illness such as blood pressure to the extent that too much money and the thoughts about it make the body melt from fatigue and permanent distress, and also cause lack of peace of mind to too many thoughts causes illness. 

(3-4) The rich man collects money in order to enjoy the pleasure and spend it on his pleasure, as for the poor man, he spent his life searching to improve his living standard, and maybe feel the hunger while doing it.   

Oh, what a man that collects money to be spent on his lusts, unfortunately, instead of building a house in the sky and gain the blessing while helping the poor, he brings the curse to himself than the blessings.   

(5-6) The gold owner is deceived, as well as whoever busy after profit all his life, he too is deceived. And those who went after the gold fell in their deaths themselves.

(7-8) The man, who is looking for the gold, it becomes a bump to him, and congratulation to the rich man, who does not put all his efforts in gold and money, but the wealth comes to him from the blessing of God and his honesty in his work.   

(9-11) The man, who does not seek the money, needs to be congratulated, because he made wonders and taught his people the conviction and offered help to the poor people. There are many righteous men, who were rich, such as our father Ibrahim, father of fathers, and our teacher Ibrahim El Gowhary, and Bishop Antonius. These righteous used the money in the service and the money was the reason for the blessing and happiness for the people. And it was not a reason for blocking them from completing their message and helping the poor. And until now, everyone knows the teacher Ibrahim El Gowharythe giver man. However, the man, who believed that money is for self indulges only, is deceived, because with money, you can make people happy.

(S31: 12-29)
"12 Art thou set at a great table? be not the first to open thy mouth upon it. 13 Say not: There are many things which are upon it. 14 Remember that a wicked eye is evil. 15 What is created more wicked than an eye? therefore shall it weep over all the face when it shall see. 16 Stretch not out thy hands first, lest being disgraced with envy thou be put to confusion. 17 Be not hasty in a feast. 18 Judge of the disposition of thy neighbour by thyself. 19 Use as a frugal man the things that are set before thee: lest if thou eatest much, thou be hated. 20 Leave off first, for manners' sake: and exceed not, lest thou offend. 21 And if thou sittest among many, reach not thy hand out first of all: and be not the first to ask for drink. 22 How sufficient is a little wine for a man well taught, and in sleeping thou shalt not be uneasy with it, and thou shalt feel no pain. 23 Watching, and choler, and gripes, are with an intemperate man: 24 Sound and wholesome sleep with a moderate man: he shall sleep till morning, and his soul shall be delighted with him. 25 And if thou hast been forced to eat much, arise, go out, and vomit: and it shall refresh thee, and thou shalt not bring sickness upon thy body. 26 Hear me, my son, and despise me not: and in the end thou shalt find my words. 27 In all thy works be quick, and no infirmity shall come to thee. 28 The lips of many shall bless him that is liberal of his bread, and the testimony of his truth is faithful. 29 Against him that is niggardly of his bread, the city will murmur, and the testimony of his niggardliness is true."

(12-15) Joshua of Sirach here, direct our attention to the ethics of table, as it is very important, especially in our society. He recommended here, if you sat on a table that is full of goodness, you must first, offer the grace and the blessings on the table. Do not open your mouth surprisingly saying how plentiful what is on it, and show the veracity of eating. Remember that evil eye is a great evil for man, because all the bad seen and desires come through the looking, it is the first entry to sin for man. Man sees the first then desire, then all those scenery enters the heart and feeling, and sin affects it. The evil eye is a scourge for the body, so your eyes must be simple so that your body is simple. 

Etiquette of the table is if someone is reaching to a plate to eat from it, wait until he finishes then you go for it, so your hands do not clash together. At the time of Joshua of Sirach, there were some large size dishes and many people were to share the eating from the same dish, the same as what exist now, such as the large salad plate, which is filled so many can share in it. As you think of yourself, you must also think of your relative.  Jesus says: "All things, therefore, whatsoever you would that men should do to you, do you also to them. For this is the law and the prophets." (Matt7: 12). Because it is a mark of respect and being polite to advance others before you, also it is humility.   

(19) As a polite man, you must eat whatever was put in front of you and do not stand up to bring food from the end of the table while you are at the other end. Do not make loud noise while digesting your food so you do not nauseate people.   

(20) Be the first to stop eating politely, do not be the last one so you don’t appear as a greedy and hurt other. There is an Egyptian saying, a wise one, to say “eat as a camel and finish before the men.”  Also, it is neither wise nor polite to eat in front of people for a long time and be the last one to leave the table.           

(21) When sitting at the table and after the prayer, don’t be the first to start, especially if there is an older person present, and when all start eating, you too can start with them, so no one thinks that you are a food eating lover.       

(22) Do not over eat so you don’t harm yourself, you may experience a problem while sleeping. Many heart conditions come to those who eat and sleep immediately after eating, because the heart pumps large quantity of blood while sleeping to help the digestion and that is why heart disease occurred. And more diseases come from eating too much, especially hypertension.   

(23-24) The one, who eats in moderation, sleeps soundly, and wakes up early the best condition. The insomnia, indigestion and stomach pain, all from eating too much. Here, too, a new illness appears this days, such as high cholesterol, high blood pressure, diabetes, and fat in the arteries. All of those diseases from food, and people eat a lot and pay large sums of money in order to reduce weight.   

(25) If you were forced to eat, you will be more comfortable if you were to get out and retire. It is proper for the host not to force food on his guests to be excess of the necessary, so they do not despise eating. 

There is a story about this attitude that says: One of the monks, riding his donkey, went to visit a house. People in the house were known of their generosity, after they finish eating, they ask him, for the sake of the Virgin, do eat this, and for the sake of Marjirjis eat this, and for the sake of Bishop Antonius eat this. The monk got out of the house with a very bad stomachache. When arrived at a lake and the donkey went to drink. The monk asked it to drink more for the sake of Marjirjis, the donkey gave him no responds. So he asked it to drink more for the sake of Bishop Antonius, again has had no respond. The monk, then, said to himself, the animal knows its limitation and human does not. 

We, as a middle eastern community, have the habit of pressuring our guests on the issue of eating, and the one who doesn’t eat, causes problems, and they put pressure on him until the guest gets out unhappy.   

(26-27) There is an advice to give here, if you want to be a healthy human being, you must play sport, especially walking, because it is very useful, especially for people who are overweight. Walking lower the blood pressure and reduce disease. In all your works, be active in order to have for fewer illnesses.   

(28-29) Joshua of Sirach, here, advices hosts to be generous at the hospitality of anyone, if they did that, gusts will praise his hospitality. As for the skinflint host, they will announce his parsimony and degrading.

(S31: 30-42)
"30 Challenge not them that love wine: for wine hath destroyed very many. 31 Fire trieth hard iron: so wine drunk to excess shall rebuke the hearts of the proud. 32 Wine taken with sobriety is equal lire to men: if thou drink it moderately, thou shalt be sober. 33 What is his life, who is diminished with wine? 34 What taketh away life? death. 35 Wine was created from the beginning to make men joyful, and not to make them drunk. 36 Wine drunken with moderation is the joy of the soul and the heart. 37 Sober drinking is health to soul and body. 38 Wine drunken with excess raiseth quarrels; and wrath, and many ruins. 39 Wine drunken with excess is bitterness of the soul. 40 The heat of drunkenness is the stumblingblock of the fool, lessening strength and causing wounds. 41 Rebuke not thy neighbour in a banquet of wine: and despise him not in hip mirth. 42 Speak not to him words of reproach: and press him not in demanding again."

Here, Joshua of Sirach exposed an important issue, drinking the alcohol. In countries with cold weather, it was known for people to drink alcohol instead of other known drinks such as soft drinks and others. Alcohol was also used in the treatment, see (1Tim5: 23) "Do not still drink water, but use a little wine for thy stomach's sake, and thy frequent infirmities."    

However, unfortunately, after the misuse of the alcohol by some people, and the emerging of soft drinks, and the discovery that the best thing for human health is only drinking water, doctors now encourage people to drink water only.   

(30) do not show how manly you are by drinking alcohol, because it decimated many. Unfortunately, some men lose everything due to alcoholism, and what a disaster if they drove a car while drunk, God forbids, and there so many accidents because of drinking here.   

(31) You can test iron with fire. Men in great positions and men with influence, after drinking alcohol, they become scorned and acting silly. I asked a young lady, how did you spend your New Year's Eve? I kept on drinking, she replied, until I did not feel anything for a whole day. Unfortunately, instead of spending the New Year's Eve with the Lord, they spend it drinking and end up drunk and orgy.   

(32-42) Here, shows Joshua the son of Sirach the difference between drinking and excessive drinking at that time. However, when the church noted that alcohol is consumed in unreasonable fashion, it stopped using it in theholy ecumenical councils and spatial.

And see the verses:   

"Woe to you that are mighty to drink wine, and stout men at drunkenness." (Isaiah5: 22),   

"1 Woe to the crown of pride, to the drunkards of Ephraim, and to the fading flower the glory of his joy, who were on the head of the fat valley, staggering with wine. 2 Behold the Lord is mighty and strong, as a storm of hail: a destroying whirlwind, as the violence of many waters overflowing, and sent forth upon a spacious land. 3 The crown of pride of the drunkards of Ephraim shall be trodden under feet. 4 And the fading flower the glory of his joy, who is on the head of the fat valley, shall be as a hasty fruit before the ripeness of autumn: which when he that seeth it shall behold, as soon as he taketh it in his hand, he will eat it up."(Isaiah28: 1-4)   

"4 Give not to kings, O Lamuel, give not wine to kings: because there is no secret where drunkenness reigneth: 5 And lest they drink and forget judgments, and pervert the cause of the children of the poor." (Proverbs31: 4-5)   

"29Who hath woe? whose father hath woe? who hath contentions? who falls into pits? who hath wounds without cause? who hath redness of eyes? 30 Surely they that pass their time in wine, and study to drink of their cups." (Proverbs23: 29-30).   

And here, he shows that the alcohol at its beginning was not created for drunkenness. And alcohol, causes many diseases, including liver injury and high blood pressure. In addition to the crimes that can occur by a drunk person, to an extent that if you find a person drinking, don’t argue with him, and don’t ask him to pay you his debt to you, because he is drunk and may hurts you. We thank God that we are now pleased with the new alcohol which transfer into the blood of Christ every day over the altar of God, it is the true alcohol that Lushes divine love.

CHAPTER 32

Respect for the Tables

(S32: 1-17)
"1 Have they made thee ruler? be not lifted up: be among them as one of them. 2 Have care of them, and so sit down, and when thou hast acquitted thyself of all thy charge, take thy place : 3 That thou mayst rejoice for them, and receive a crown as an ornament of grace, and get the honour of the contribution. 4 Speak, thou that art elder: for it becometh thee, 5 To speak the first word with care knowledge, and hinder not music. 6 Where there is no hearing, pour out words, and be not lifted up out season with thy wisdom. 7 A concert of music in a banquet wine is as a carbuncle set in gold. 8 As a signet of an emerald in a work of gold: so is the melody of music with pleasant and moderate wine. 9 Hear in silence, and for thy reverence good grace shall come to thee. 10 Young man, scarcely speak in thy own cause. 11 If thou be asked twice, let thy answer be short. 12 In many things be as if thou wert ignorant, and hear in silence and withal seeking. 13 In the company of great men bake not upon thee: and when the ancients are present, speak not much. 14 Before a storm goeth lightning: and before shamefacedness goeth favour: and for thy reverence good grace shall come to thee. 15 And at the time of rising be not slack: but be first to run home to thy house, and there withdraw thyself, and there take thy pastime. 16 And do what thou hast a mind, but not in sin or proud speech. 17 And for all these things bless the Lord, that made thee, and that replenisheth thee with all his good things."

This is about the working tables, as it happened in the work places, and sometimes it called working dinner, or business dinner, where opinions about the works exchanged.    

(1-3) Joshua of Sirach encourages the chairperson of the meeting to show humility and be as one of the people in the meeting. Because, as a president in the workplace, he is also the host for the supper meeting. It would be wise to be humble. Welcoming and serving the guests and with that conduct he will rejoice with them, and they will praise him and offer him gifts.    

(4-6) In these verses, he speaks of the behavior of the oldest person in the gathering, and how to introduce the older person to speak. Speak of what you have knowledge in only in order not to embarrass yourself, but if your guests are busy and hearing the singing, don’t talk as they will not hear you. In addition, try not to talk of your wisdom during the singing, but the words of wisdom always said in the calm environment.        

(7-8), as previously explained that drinking alcohol in the old days was as normal as drinking coca cola or Pepsi cola now. Therefore, he says that drinking alcohol in small quantities and with the sound of music is like the sapphire jewelry of gold. And it repeated again with the sound of singers as the jewelry of gold.    

(9-16) Here, he directs his talk to the youth:

 
Hear what is happening around you. The wisdom is to talk in a timely manner, and the wise man listens more than speaks. And speak when you find that you should speak, and you were asked twice, and expressed a lot with less. And be as the one who knows, and stays in silence in the group of the greats. Show humility in and do not be on their level. Do not joke a lot with the elderly or the respected people, as it is not desirable. If you are a respectable person, respect the young and old, you will be loved by all. And when time comes to leave, don’t be late by talking about new issues, as you will have everyone else late.  

Furthermore, do not hang around with friends or anywhere, just go straight home after the dinner because you are tired and exhausted, and there is work to be done, and write a few points about what happened at this meeting.  

And spending time at home is far more important than spending time outside the home, because the family needed you after a long day outside the home. And your friend wants to rest. And don’t be wrong by praising yourself and say I have become an important and were invited to a large dinner party, and I became an important figure in the company. However, you must be humble and decent.    

(17) And you should thank God your Creator, who satisfies you with his goodness and his bounty of divine love. And God is the one who puts you in this position and blessed you in your work and always confess that the goodness of the Lord is the reason of where you are.

(S32: 18-28)
"18 He that feareth the Lord, will receive his discipline: and they that will seek him early, shall find a blessing. 19 He that seeketh the law, shall be filled with it: and he that dealeth deceitfully, shall meet with a stumblingblock therein. 20 They that fear the Lord, shall find just judgment, and shall kindle justice as a light. 21 A sinful man will flee reproof, and will find an excuse according to his will. 22 A man of counsel will not neglect understanding, a strange and proud man will not dread fear: 23 Even after he hath done with fear without counsel, he shall be controlled by the things of his own seeking. 24 My son, do thou nothing without counsel, and thou shalt not repent when thou hast done. 25 Go not in the way of ruin, and thou shalt not stumble against the stones; trust not thyself to a rugged may, lest thou set a stumblingblock to thy soul. 26 And beware of thy own children, and take heed of them of thy household. 27 In every work of thine regard thy soul in faith: for this is the keeping of the commandments. 28 He that believeth God, taketh heed to the commandments: and he that trusteth in him, shall fare never the worse."

(18) The one, who loved by the Lord, is disciplined by him, and the discipline is a refinement and architecture. And sometimes we think we are moving in the right direction, or we are in a high spiritual stature, but unfortunately we need a minor shock or discipline to go back to the path of the Lord. Those who find the Lord, they start to pray and everything else.    

(19-20) Many reflections of the Sharia (holy law) and the fear of God make the human being walking on its road. As for the man, who likes to circumvent the Sharia and wish to have the law matching his desires as it does happen sometime, when we ask those who drink alcohol, why you drink? They say that Jesus turned water into wine, and make excuses under false pretenses, for example, they say that the beer was not mentioned in the Bible that it is prohibited, and to analyze the dance at parties, they say that the Prophet David danced, so why don’t we dance as well? And they look at excuses from the Bible to suit their lives and their sins. They know very well what is right and what is wrong, but they want to deceive others as well. As for the honest people, they were walking in the Lord's way, and behave with the justice and their law and lives are the Book.    

(21) The man in the wrong usually refuses to be reprimanded because he is arrogant and instead of saying that he made a mistake, he would come up with flimsy arguments to waste time and waste his life too.

 
(22) Wise man is the one who takes and gives advices, and takes a decision only after careful reflection, as for the arrogant man, he does not fear God, and shall consult with no one.    

(23-24) do not rush to take any decision, because usually arrogant makes quick decisions, as for the wise man, he would pray and seek the advice of God and slow down and calculate well before the adoption of the resolution.    

(25) Do not walk in the evil road. The end is destruction. And do not throw yourself in a way that you did not test it, saying I will try. The same as the smokers, who say I will try it once and those who try drugs for the first time and then found themselves addicted.    

(26) Usually when taking a decision, take it after the prayer and the advice of a wise father (the father of confession). Do not let your children or your wife affect you, because usually a woman thinks with her emotions, but the husband thinks with his brain.        

(27-28) In all your works, follow the commandments and the Sharia law, you will be walking in the right conscience. And don’t be unfair to anyone, but follow the Bible, which has all the answers to your questions.    

Here, this chapter ends up with a beautiful word: Whoever counts on the Lord, never lose. The wise Solomon says, I was a youth, and now I am old, and did not abandon a friend. Whoever it counts on the Lord and serenading everything to him, he can  leave in peace with God, who is beyond all reasons.

CHAPTER 33

Miscellaneous Advices  

(S33: 1-6)
"1 NO evils shall happen to him that feareth the Lord, but in temptation God will keep him, and deliver him from evils. 2 A wise man hateth not the commandments and justices, and he shall not be dashed in pieces as a ship in a storm. 3 A man of understanding is faithful to the law of God, and the law is faithful to him. 4 He that cleareth up a question, shall prepare what to say, and so having prayed he shall be heard, and shall keep discipline, and then he shall answer. 5 The heart of a fool is as a wheel of a cart: and his thoughts are like a rolling axletree. 6 A friend that is a mocker, is like a stallion horse: he neigheth under every one that sitteth upon him."

(1) The man, who is honest in his work, active and gives his work his best, and had to leave his work or was expelled from work because of lack of honesty or work, the Lord will provide him with better work and blesses him always in his work. Do not be diminished, if left the work, the Lord, who has given that work will give you a better one. Because it is prevalent, especially here in the migrant countries, that worker under the pressure of dismissed from work, so walk with the Lord and do not be afraid of what made by human beings.

 
(2-3) the wise men follows the Sharia and derive his wisdom from the Sharia, As for the Tartuffe man, he is that man in the church, but without fruit, he is like a ship in the middle of severe waves, has no hope to reach the sky, as the ship also has no hope of arriving at the shore. As for the wise and reasonable man, he believes in what God sayings and his Sharia, and makes all the source of his wisdom and blessing.    

(4-5) when talking, you need to organize and coordinate your talk. And your words are from the Shariah so it is blessed, and when you organize the meanings of what you are saying, and have it fully prepared, you can be ready for the questions. As for the stupid person, he is as the wheel in the vehicle turning around itself without any benefit. And such as the drill turning without thinking, like the animal, is tied up in the water wheel, turning all day with eyes covered, and it does not know whether walking forward or walking around itself, this is the stupid.    

(6) The stupid person is like the horse, who whines under each rider, or talkative with everyone do not stop talking with anyone.

(S33: 7-18)
"7 Why doth one day excel another, and one light another, and one year another year, when all come of the sun? 8 By the knowledge of the Lord they were distinguished, the sun being made, and keeping his commandment. 9 And he ordered the seasons, and holidays of them, and in them they celebrated festivals at an hour. 10 Some of them God made high and great days, and some of them he put in the number of ordinary days. And all men are from the ground, and out of the earth, from whence Adam was created. 11 With much knowledge the Lord hath divided them and diversified their ways. 12 Some of them hath he blessed, and exalted: and some of them hath he sanctified, and set near himself: and some of them hath he cursed and brought low, end turned them from their station. 13 As the potter's clay is in his hand, to fashion and order it: 14 All his ways are according to his ordering: so man is in the hand of him that made him, and he will render to him according to his judgment. 15 Good is set against evil, and life against death: so also is the sinner against a just man. And so look upon all the works of the most High. Two and two, and one against another. 16 And I awaked last of all, and as one that gathereth after the grapegatherers. 17 In the blessing of God I also have hoped: and as one that gathereth grapes, have I filled the winepress. 18 See that I have not laboured for myself only, but for all that seek discipline."

Some days are different from other days of the events, some are holidays and some are days of fasting, but all days are the same.    

(8-9) there are various church events, tunes, holidays, and rituals, there are an annual ritual, and ritual canina and happy ritual, they are all good occasions and holidays are different.    

(10-12) And there are holy days such as Sunday in the New Testament, and on Saturday in the Old Testament. Also, some people are saints and others are not saints, but their origin of all is the earth, such as Adam. And some of them were endorsed by God and brought them near Him, and some were damned by the Lord and were set back from his place.    

(13-14) Like the clay in the hand of the ceramist doing what he pleased with it, so the ceramist is a wise man as he uses quality clay to make a valuable pot, contrary to bad clay, it makes cheap pots. This is the same as people in the hand of their maker, who rewards them according to their actions.        

(15) This is life, the good and the bad, the evil and the righteous, the sinner and the saint. Both are the same next to each other.        

(16-18) Of the modesty of Joshua of Sirach, he sees himself as the poor people, who walk collecting behind the harvesters. (The Book of Ruth), he was modest as he walked behind the wise men collecting wisdom from them, so God blesses his wisdom, because he did not ask wisdom  for himself only, but for his students as well.

(S33: 19-24)
"19 Hear me, ye great men, and all ye people, and hearken with your ears, ye rulers of the church. 20 Give not to son or wife, brother or friend, power over thee while thou livest; and give not thy estate to another, lest then repent, and thou entreat for the same. 21 As long as thou livest, and hast breath in thee, let no man change thee. 22 For it is better that thy children should ask of thee, than that thou look toward the hands of thy children. 23 In all thy works keep the pre-eminence. 24 Let no stain sully thy glory. In the time when thou shalt end the days of thy life, and in the time of thy decease, distribute thy inheritance."

(19-20) here, Joshua of Sirach attracts the attention of the people greats, because the people greats are interested in this wisdom, because this wisdom is talking about inheritance. He advises parents not to give the inheritance to their sons or daughters or even to their wives in their lives, because it is very possible to take the inheritance and spend it or take the inheritance and let the parents in need and turn their backs on them, and in that time, parents will be sorry. We have seen many such stories in the daily life, such as the children take over an apartment for marriage then expel the father and the mother.    

(21-22) All your life and right to the last breath, do not give yourself to any human being. Alternatively, do not give anyone the opportunity to control you, such as the children when exercise the control over your money. It is normal that your children ask you for money, but it is wrong and undesirable for you to ask your children.    

(23-24) During all of your days and life, preserve your dignity and your reputation, and it is possible to write your will with just and fairness among your children, so when you die, you are then done everything to satisfy God and the satisfaction of your conscience. There is the story of the children, who were at odds with their father because he wrote the inheritance as he was living, and they were rejecting that, they did not want to take anything from their father. And that was a problem, so the father asked the opinion of the father, but the boys said we do not want to divide the inheritance. These are the spiritual sense, and love, that are stronger than death, the father requests his children to accept, and children do not want anything.

(S33: 25-33)
"25 Fodder, and a wand, and a burden are for an ass: bread, and correction, and work for a slave. 26 He worketh under correction, and seeketh to rest: let his hands be idle, and he seeketh liberty. 27 The yoke and the thong bend a stiff neck, and continual labours bow a slave. 28 Torture and fetters are for a malicious slave: send him to work, that he be not idle: 29 For idleness hath taught much evil. 30 Set him to work: for so it is fit for him. And if he be not obedient, bring him down with fetters, but be not excessive towards any one: and do no grievous thing without judgment. 31 If thou have a faithful servant, let him be to thee as thy own soul: treat him as a brother: because in the blood of thy soul thou hast gotten him. 32 If thou hurt him unjustly, he will run away: 33 And if he rise up and depart, thou knowest not whom to ask, and in what way to seek him."

(25-27) The purchase of slaves was the same as purchase of animals, you buy the slave and do with him whatever you want to do. The harshness of the masters was the reason for the slave revolts, which occurred two or three times and led by the most famous Spratakos. The harsh treatments of the slaves, especially from evil and wicked and non-believers were very hard. The slave was like the donkey, eating well and works and being hit and disciplined. And like the famous saying: Make the slave tire, he will make you comfort. Make him comfortable, he will make you tire, and ask for freedom.        

(28-33) If the slave is evil, he needs punishment and must be given a great deal of work so that he has no time, because leisure time taught many evils, commit him to the type of works that suit him, and if he disobeys, restrict his movement with more weight around his legs. A long time ago, legs of slaves chained to make it difficult to escape. However, do not weigh the slave with too much because they are people like you, and imagine you are in their place, when you remember that you are in their place, compassion will take over you for them. The history reports of many slaves could change the lives of their masters, such as the Nooman el Syriany. Slave needs you to feed him and give him shelter, and you need him to help you in the house and the field or anything else. The need is mutual, but if you got hash on him, he may escape. There are also many masters freed slaves and converted to Christianity because of the treatment of their masters, like what happened in the story of Bishop Takla Himanot el Hibshi, their parents had slaves in the house and freed them, and they were as members of the family.

CHAPTER 34

The Dreams

 
(S34: 1-8)
"1 The hopes of a man that is void of understanding are vain and deceitful: and dreams lift up fools. 2 The man that giveth heed to lying visions, is like to him that catcheth at a shadow, and followeth after the wind. 3 The vision of dreams is the resemblance of one thing to another: as when a man's likeness is before the face of a man. 4 What can be made clean by the unclean? and what truth can come from that which is false? 5 Deceitful divinations and lying omens and the dreams of evildoers, are vanity: 6 And the heart fancieth as that of a woman in travail: except it be a vision sent forth from the most High, set no thy heart upon them. 7 For dreams have deceived many, and they have failed that put their trust in them. 8 The word of the law shall be fulfilled without a lie, and wisdom shall be made plain in the mouth of the faithful."

(1-3) there is a full chapter about the dreams in the same series in the Book of Esther, for the same Author. Please refer to it.

 
The ignorant and the unwise people are happy with the dreams, especially the daydreaming. And if they got occupied with anything, they will dream of it. Because, as said the scientists, if you think of something before going to sleep, you will dream of it. And the man, who living by the dreams is like if he tries to clutch the wind, will not reap anything.    

(4-6) Some dreams come from the evil phantoms that man sees. And the devil uses it and makes 1000 copies of it to use it any time with human. Therefore, the eye must be kept pure, for if you watch a normal film, and have had an unsuitable scene, you will forget all the events of the movie except this scene, it will remain on your mind with the help of the devil. And if we ask how would sinful dreams come to a righteous man? Alternatively, how would false dreams be true? The answer is simply that the devil can grow something false that does not exist in your imagination. Sibyl, shells, divination, the cups, or the false dreams, all rejected by the Book, and cursed whoever contacts the fortunetellers. Their punishment, in the Old Testament, was the death. See: "9 When thou art comes into the land which the Lord thy God shall give thee, beware lest thou have a mind to imitate the abominations of those nations. 10 Neither let there be found among you any one that shall expiate his son or daughter, making them to pass through the fire: or that consulteth soothsayers, or observeth dreams and omens, neither let there be any wizard, 11 Nor charmer, nor any one that consulteth pythonic spirits, or fortune tellers, or that seeketh the truth from the dead. 12 For the Lord abhorreth all these things, and for these abominations he will destroy them at thy coming. 13 Thou shalt be perfect, and without spot before the Lord thy God. 14 These nations, whose land thou shalt possess, hearken to soothsayers and diviners: but thou art otherwise instructed by the Lord thy God." (Deut18: 9-14). Joshua indicted, that the sibyl likes the heart of troubled woman, which is fearful of childbirth.    

(6-8), If the dreams were not sacred and agree with the Holy Bible, do not be concerned with it, and do not heed to it, because the devil can be changed to a semi-angel. Those, who depend on dreams, fall in the sin, and wasting their time in vain. As for the wise man, he studies the dream and thinks about it, if it was according to God’s words in his Book, he can keep it in his heart, and discusses it, but if it is not according to the Book of God, leaves it.

(S34: 9-20)
"9 What doth he know, that hath not been tried? A man that hath much experience, shall think of many things: and he that hath learned many things, shall shew forth understanding. 10 He that hath no experience, knoweth little: and he that hath been experienced in many things, multiplieth prudence. 11 He that hath not been tried, what manner of things doth he know? he that hath been surprised, shall abound with subtlety. 12 I have seen many things by travelling, and many customs of things. 13 Sometimes I have been in danger of death for these things, and I have been delivered by the grace of God. 14 The spirit of those that fear God; is sought after, and by his regard shall be blessed. 15 For their hope is on him that saveth them, and the eyes of God are upon them that love him. 16 He that feareth the Lord shall tremble at nothing, and shall not be afraid for he is his hope. 17 The soul of him that feareth the Lord is blessed. 18 To whom doth he look, and who in his strength? 19 The eyes of the Lord are upon them that fear him, he is their powerful protector, and strong stay, a defence from the heat, and a cover from the sun at noon, 20 A preservation from stumbling, and a help from falling; he raiseth up the soul, and enlighteneth the eyes, and giveth health, and life, and blessing."

(9-13) Here, Joshua of Sirach encourages to get out to the world and not to be confined and encourages to travel, as it has many benefits, including knowing the habits of people and learning new languages and taking the opportunity to have better jobs if possible, or trading. And he compares the different between the one who travels many times to the one, who has no experience in traveling. That, the one who travels has become more experienced in life. Here we note that some people, who travel across gain experience in trade, commerce, industry and finance. However, unfortunately, some people with weak soul have different goals when traveling, such as evil and sin and that is why they cannot be successful in their journeys, because they start it with sin, and not sticking to God and the search for a church. We thank God that the Church has expanded in many countries of the world so that we have almost one church in every country. According to Joshua of Sirach, he personally subjected to many risks, but the power of God rescued him.    

(14-20) Here, Joshua of Sirach draws the attention to the fact that whoever fears the Lord, will be saved, rescued, and blessed in his work and life by God. The Lord is our protection and satisfaction. The lord, for us, is everything and the Lord surrounds whoever loves him and fears him, just as the chicken does around her chooks. As the Lord of Jerusalem says: "Jerusalem, Jerusalem, that killest the prophets, and stonest them that are sent to thee, how often would I have gathered thy children as the bird doth her brood under her wings, and thou wouldest not?" (Luk13: 34)    

And this, which obeys the Lord, and begins his traveling with the spiritual life, will be protected by the Lord against the heat and will be shadowed in his life. And how many traps, were prepared for us by the enemy of good, but: "We escaped with our lives like a bird from the fowler's snare; the snare was broken and we escaped. Our help is the name of the LORD, the maker of heaven and earth.(Psalm124: 7-8)

And The Lord says, they are fighting you, and they are not able to defeat you, you look at the arrows of the enemy around you, but God saved you with the fence around you.

(S34: 21-31)
"21 The offering of him that sacrificeth of a thing wrongfully gotten, is stained, and the mockeries of the unjust are not acceptable. 22 The Lord is only for them that wait upon him in the way of truth and justice. 23 The most High approveth not the gifts of the wicked: neither hath he respect to the oblations of the unjust, nor will he be pacified for sine by the multitude of their sacrifices. 24 He that offereth sacrifice of the goods of the poor, is as one that sacrificeth the son in the presence of his father. 25 The bread of the needy, is the life of the poor: he that defraudeth them thereof, is a man of blood. 26 He that taketh away the bread gotten by sweat, is like him that killeth his neighbour. 27 He that sheddeth blood, and he that defraudeth the labourer of his hire, are brothers. 28 When one buildeth up, and another pulleth down: what profit have they but the labour? 29 When one prayeth, and another curseth: whose voice will God hear? 30 He that washeth himself after touching the dead, if he toucheth him again, what doth his washing avail? 31 So a man that fasteth for his sins, and doth the same again, what doth his humbling himself profit him? who will hear his prayer?"

(21-24) The man, provides the sacrifice, using money from injustice and from the blood of innocent people and money that he uses to hurt others. Does he think it will be acceptable in front of the Lord? The same as the one, who provide a sacrifice from suspect money, such as the one, who trades in drugs or suspected products or from gambling. All are unaccepted before God. Some people believe that God forgives their sins by giving a lot, as we returned to the time of payments for forgiveness.

 
However, what pleases God's heart and forgives his sins are repentance, and confession and exchange. The sacrifice is to God by the humble and refractor heart, and the one, who provides his sacrifice from the money of the poor, is like a man, who killed a son in front of his father.    

(25-27) The person, who deprives the poor people from their bread and the needy from their income is a killer, and the one, who is being unfair to the poor and takes his income is a killer, and the one, who denies the employee his wage, is shedding his blood.  

There is an old story in Upper Egypt says that there was a skinflint man, and he had a very poor worker, and he exploited him to the fullest. He was not paying him his wage or anything, except some of the yield taken to his home after working throughout the day, to the extent that the poor worker was eating dry yield as he grinds it. Such a skinflint man was as shown in these last verses. And unfortunately, his end was very bad as his children have squandered all the money that he collected from the oppression of the people.    

(28-31) The man, who repents from a sin, then gets back to it again, is like those who build and then destroy what was built, this does not benefit anything. It, Furthermore, is like the one, who blesses someone, then curses him, and also, as the person, who touches a dead person then become impurity according to the laws of the Jews and then bathed, then after bathing returned and once again touches him , he did not benefit anything.

CHAPTER 35

The Sharia-Law and the Sacrifices

 
(S35: 1-13)
"1 He that keepeth the law, multiplieth offerings. 2 It is a wholesome sacrifice to take heed to the commandments, and to depart from all iniquity. 3 And to depart from injustice, is to offer a propitiatory sacrifice for injustices, and a begging of pardon for sins. 4 He shall return thanks, that offereth fine flour: and he that doth mercy, offereth sacrifice. 5 To depart from iniquity is that which pleaseth the Lord, and to depart from injustice, is an entreaty for sins. 6 Thou shalt not appear empty in the sight of the Lord. 7 For all these things are to be done because of the commandment of God. 8 The oblation of the just maketh the altar fat, and is an odour of sweetness in the sight of the most High. 9 The sacrifice of the just is acceptable, and the Lord will not forget the memorial thereof. 10 Give glory to God with a good heart: and diminish not the firstfruits of thy hands. 11 In every gift shew a cheerful countenance, and sanctify thy tithes with joy. 12 Give to the most High according to what he hath given to thee, and with a good eye do according to the ability of thy hands: 13 For the Lord maketh recompense, and will give thee seven times as much."

(1-3) Memorizing the Sharia law and working honestly in the commandments of God, is like the person, who is providing so many advances. And the person, who abandons the sin, is like the one, who offers the sacrifice to compensate his sins. And the Offerings, here, is not for rich people only, but for the poor people also, who cannot offer. The church prays for whoever cannot offer the sacrifice for which they want to make. Therefore, working by God’s commandments and the integrity and the refrain from sin is the greatest offering.

 
(4-5) We thank the Lord for his generosity in the offering of the flour offering, and we always should be glorifying the Lord and thank him for the great doing, and his charity "Bless the Lord, O my soul, and never forget all he hath done for thee." (Psalm 102: 2). And, who rejoices the heart of the Lord and pleases him, is the cessation of evil and the refrain from injustice.

 
(6-13) Our appearance in front of the Lord, must be decent, carries the fulfillment and the thanks. Even the one, who does not have anything to give, must submit something simple. Such as the women, who used to go to Pope Cyril VI, and gives him a very simple amount, and when he used to see her, laugh and say "we are having dinner today", and prior to walking away, she has been given ten times the amount. This is the blessing of the Lord, which does not look at the quantity, but look at the heart that gives, and whether it gives with pleasure or with non-satisfactory. Presentation with pleasure rejoices in the heart of the Lord, because, Lord, of your hands we gave you. The man, who gives, is the one who receives the blessing.  

Therefore, build yourself houses in heaven, as long as there is time, and the Lord, on earth and in heaven, blesses the one who gives. One servant said after reading the verses: "Bring all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in my house, and try me in this, saith the Lord: if I open not unto you the flood-gates of heaven, and pour you out a blessing even to abundance."(Malachi3: 10). This servant says, is it possible for someone to say enough for money.  Days have passed, he changed the place of work, traveled to work at better jobs, and got a high salary, and after the promotion and more promotion, he said to his boss "this is enough now enough now." At this moment he heard the voice say to him; now believe the Holy Bible and the Word was a good test for the server to learn in his life.

(S35: 14-26)
"14 Do not offer wicked gifts, for such he will not receive. 15 And look not upon an unjust sacrifice, for the Lord is judge, and there is not with him respect of person. 16 The Lord will not accept any person against a poor man, and he will hear the prayer of him that is wronged. 17 He will not despise the prayers of the fatherless; nor the widow, when she poureth out her complaint. 18 Do not the widow's tears run down the cheek, and her cry against him that causeth them to fall? 19 For from the cheek they go up even to heaven, and the Lord that heareth will not be delighted with them. 20 He that adoreth God with joy, shall be accepted, and his prayer shall approach even to the clouds. 21 The prayer of him that humbleth himself, shall pierce the clouds: and till it come nigh he will not be comforted: and he will not depart till the most High behold. 22 And the Lord will not be slack, but will judge for the just, and will do judgment: and the Almighty will not have patience with them, that he may crush their back: 23 And he will repay vengeance to the Gentiles, till he have taken away the multitude of the proud, and broken the sceptres of the unjust, 24 Till he have rendered to men according to their deeds: and according to the works of Adam, and according to his presumption, 25 Till he have judged the cause of his people, and he shall delight the just with his mercy. 26 The mercy of God is beautiful in the time of affliction, as a cloud of rain in the time of drought."

(14) Man must present the best thing to the house of God and nothing of the unwanted items. The best thing, always, must be in the House of the Lord.

 
(15) Do not depend on the sacrifice to save you from your sins, but you have to repent first, and then make the sacrifice, so it would be unacceptable by the Lord, because God does not believe faces. God wants the internal repent first. That means you truly have to repent first and then confess.

 
(16-19) God does not favor anyone at the expense of the poor people, but the Lord responds to the pray of the oppressed person, the Lord hears and listens to the supplication of the orphan and the widow when complain to God, because God is the father of the orphans and the widows. Because of the tenderness of the Lord, he cannot look at the tearing eyes and says, "Turn your eyes away as they have defeated me". The tears of the widow scream because of the one, who abused her or her grief or injustice to her. The tears of a widow go up to the heavens, and the Lord hears her tears and the Lord is sad from the injustice of man to his brother.

 
(20) The person who prays to the Lord with all his heart and his heart is with God, the Lord hears his prayers and his prayers reach the presence of God.    

(21) Modest person and the one with contrite heart, his prayers reach the Lord. And the Lord responds to his prayers immediately. His Holiness Pope Shenouda III says: All prayers are answered; even the one that was not answered is answered by not being answered. That means, it is sometimes there is the benefit in not responding to a prayer the way the person wanted it, but in the interest of a person to say to the Lord, it is your will, to do. What is best for us, as you want.

 
(22-26) The Lord fights on behalf of his people, as they are silent as Psalm says, "For thither did the tribes go up, the tribes of the Lord: the testimony of Israel, to praise the name of the Lord." (Psalm 121: 4). The Lord guards his children and does not sleep, does not lose sight of them. And the Lord tells us, whoever touch you, touch the iris of my eyes, in the sense that God rewards everyone according to his works. And governs fairly and conducts the judiciary. The Lord does not slow down nor have been long patient before emerging to break the rod of the evils and the Lord defends his people and brings relief as the rain that came on the arid land.