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Verse 28
Theosis · English Bible
Sirach

Sirach 11

Old TestamentTheosis · English Bible

1Wisdom lifteth up the head of him that is of low degree, and maketh him to sit among great men. 2Commend not a man for his beauty; neither abhor a man for his outward appearance. 3The bee is little among such as fly; but her fruit is the chief of sweet things. 4Boast not of thy clothing and raiment, and exalt not thyself in the day of honour: for the works of the Lord are wonderful, and his works among men are hidden. 5Many kings have sat down upon the ground; and one that was never thought of hath worn the crown. 6Many mighty men have been greatly disgraced; and the honourable delivered into other men's hands. 7Blame not before thou hast examined the truth: understand first, and then rebuke. 8Answer not before thou hast heard the cause: neither interrupt men in the midst of their talk. 9Strive not in a matter that concerneth thee not; and sit not in judgment with sinners. 10My son, meddle not with many matters: for if thou meddle much, thou shalt not be innocent; and if thou follow after, thou shalt not obtain, neither shalt thou escape by fleeing. 11There is one that laboureth, and taketh pains, and maketh haste, and is so much the more behind. 12Again, there is another that is slow, and hath need of help, wanting ability, and full of poverty; yet the eye of the Lord looked upon him for good, and set him up from his low estate, 13and lifted up his head from misery; so that many that saw it marvelled at him. 14Prosperity and adversity, life and death, poverty and riches, come of the Lord. 15Wisdom and understanding and the knowledge of the law come from the Lord; love and the ways of good works are from Him. 16Error and darkness were created with sinners, and with those who are proud of wickedness, wickedness will grow old. 17The gift of the Lord remaineth with the godly, and his favour bringeth prosperity for ever. 18There is that waxeth rich by his wariness and pinching, and this is the portion of his reward: 19whereas he saith, I have found rest, and now will eat continually of my goods; and yet he knoweth not what time shall come upon him, and that he must leave those things to others, and die. 20Be stedfast in thy covenant, and be conversant therein, and wax old in thy work. 21Marvel not at the works of sinners; but trust in the Lord, and abide in thy labour: for it is an easy thing in the sight of the Lord on the sudden to make a poor man rich. 22The blessing of the Lord is in the reward of the godly, and suddenly he maketh his blessing to flourish. 23Say not, What profit is there of my service? and what good things shall I have hereafter? 24Again, say not, I have enough, and possess many things, and what evil can come to me hereafter? 25In the day of prosperity there is a forgetfulness of affliction: and in the day of affliction there is no more remembrance of prosperity. 26For it is an easy thing unto the Lord in the day of death to reward a man according to his ways. 27The affliction of an hour maketh a man forget pleasure: and in his end his deeds shall be discovered. 28Judge none blessed before his death: for a man shall be known in his children. 29Bring not every man into thine house: for the deceitful man hath many trains. 30Like as a partridge taken [and kept] in a cage, so is the heart of the proud: and like as a spy, watcheth he for thy fall: 31for he lieth in wait, and turneth good into evil, and in things worthy praise will lay blame upon thee. 32Of a spark of fire a heap of coals is kindled: and a sinful man layeth wait for blood. 33Take heed of a mischievous man, for he worketh wickedness: lest he bring upon thee a perpetual blot. 34Receive a stranger into thine house, and he will disturb thee, and turn thee out of thine own.

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Sirach 11:28

John Chrysostom

John Chrysostom4th century

A wise and seasoned individual, having reflected deeply on the fragility of human existence and the unreliability of worldly matters, advises all people not to render honor to anyone before their passing. Thus, now that the saintly Eustathius has departed from this life, we may confidently extol him, for if it is true that no one should receive honor prior to death, we can certainly pay tribute to those deemed worthy after they have left this world. Indeed, he has already traversed the depths of earthly concerns, has overcome the turbulence of life’s challenges, has reached a haven of peace, free from the uncertainties of tomorrow, unassailable, as if he now stands upon a solid rock, laughing at the tempestuous waves around him. Therefore, to honor him is secure, to glorify him is pure, for he no longer dreads change nor fears a fall into despair.

We who remain, much like sailors caught in the midst of stormy seas, are subject to many fluctuations; just as one rises with the swell of the waves or plunges into the depths of the abyss, neither ascent nor descent can be assured, as both are driven by restless waters that never cease. In the realm of humanity, nothing is stable and constant; rather, we experience swift and frequent transformations. One may be elevated by fortune, while another is plunged into despair by calamity; yet let none be arrogant or despondent, for a rapid turn of events can strike either one. Blessed is he who has ascended to the heavens, who has come face to face with the beloved Jesus, who has entered the land of peace, where ‘sorrow and sighing shall flee away’ (Isaiah 35:10). There, in that place, change has no power, no shadow of transience remains; rather, all is firm and unwavering, solid and enduring, incorruptible and everlasting.

This is why it is said, ‘before you die, please no one.’ For the future is shrouded in mystery, and our nature is frail; our intentions falter, we are easily overtaken by sin, ensnared by many traps: ‘know, it is said, that you are in the midst of nets you go’ (Sir. 9:18); the onslaught of temptations, the multitude of undertakings, the relentless assault of demons, the ongoing struggle against our own passions—this is the reason it is advised to refrain from honoring anyone prior to their death. It is, then, fitting to commend the worthy after their departure; or perhaps more aptly, not solely after death, but particularly after a death marked by triumph, by a crown of faith and sincere confession. If some have deemed blessed those who have simply passed away, how many more can be truly called blessed who have departed in such a manner?