“Good things poured out
Upon a mouth that is closed
Are like offerings of food
Placed upon a grave.
Of what use to an idol
Is a sacrifice?
The idol can neither eat
Nor smell.
Thus this one
Is punished
By the Lord.
He sees
With his eyes.
He groans.
As a eunuch groans
When embracing a girl.
So is the person
Who does right
Under compulsion.”
Why would you bring food offerings to the idols? This would be like giving food to someone who does not open their mouth. This would be like bringing food to a grave site. What is the use of this sacrifice? However, the various biblical books often talked about food offerings for Yahweh at the Temple in Jerusalem. Nevertheless, these idols cannot eat or smell. Thus the Lord will punish those who worship at these idols. He sees with his eyes. He groans like a eunuch when he embraces a young woman. Eunuchs were men whose testicles were removed or not working. They were impotent so that they would not be excited about embracing a girl. Sirach has a condemnation of someone who does the right thing because he is forced to do so.