“Whoever seeks God
Will accept his discipline.
Whoever rises early
To seek him
Will find his favor.
Whoever seeks the law
Will be filled with it.
But the hypocrite
Will stumble at it.
Whoever fears the Lord
Will form true judgments.
They will kindle righteous deeds
Like a light.
The sinner
Will shun reproof.
He will find a decision
According to his liking.”
Once again, Sirach has linked everything to the fear of God. Anyone who is seeking God must accept God’s discipline. You have to get up early to seek God. You should seek the law and be filled with it. The law, of course, means the commandments of God. You should not be a hypocrite who stumbles around. If you fear the Lord, you will make true judgments that will end up with righteous deeds that kindle a light like a fire. The sinner does not like to be reprimanded. The sinner likes only the decisions that fit his way of thinking.
Eugene Finnegan Bible Project 