The divine judge (Sir 17:15-17:24)

“Their ways are always known to him.

They will not be hid from his eyes.

Their ways from youth tend towards evil.

They are unable

To make for themselves hearts of flesh

In place of their stony hearts.

In the division of nations of the whole earth

He appointed a ruler for every nation.

But Israel is the Lord’s own portion.

Being his firstborn,

He brings them up with discipline.

He allots to them

The light of his love.

He does not neglect them.

All their works are as clear

As the sun before him.

His eyes are continually upon their ways.

Their iniquities are not hidden from him.

All their sins are before the Lord.

The Lord is gracious.

He knows how they were formed.

He has not left them.

He has not abandoned them.

But he has spared them.

One’s almsgiving is

Like a signet ring with the Lord.

He will keep a person’s kindness

Like the apple of his eye.

Afterward he will rise up.

He will repay them.

He will bring their recompense on their heads.

Yet to those who repent,

He grants a return.

He encourages those who are losing hope.”

The Lord is a diving judge. He knows human ways. You cannot hide from him. He appointed rulers for the various countries, but he is the ruler of Israel. Since the time of the Exile in the 6th century BCE, there was no king of Israel. As Israel is the first born, the Lord has disciplined and loved Israel. He would not neglect them as he watches them continually. Their works are as clear as the sun. They cannot hide their sins, but he has not abandoned them. Almsgiving is like the Lord’s ring. Kindness is the apple of his eye. However, he will repay them for their sins. Nevertheless, those who repent can return. In fact, he tries to encourage those who are losing hope.

The importance of paternal advice (Prov 7:1-7:5)

“My child!

Keep my words!

Store up commandments with you!

Keep my commandments!

Live!

Keep my teachings

As the apple of your eye!

Bind them on your fingers!

Write them on the tablet of your heart!

Say to wisdom.

‘You are my sister.’

Call insight your intimate friend.

Thus they may keep you

From the loose woman.

They may keep you

From the adulterous woman.

They may keep you

From her smooth words.”

Once again there is an emphasis on the paternal words and commandments that will help the children to live, much like in chapters 2, 3, and 4. These teachings should be like the apple of your eye. They should be bound to your fingers, written on your heart. Wisdom should be a like a sister or an intimate friend. Then this wisdom will keep you from the loose women, the adulterous women, and their smooth words. Somehow, these loose women were very good talkers.