LIVING A GOD FEARING LIFE

Joshua Ben Sirach

(This is a paraphrase from a book written in 132 B.C. The authors understanding of what
constituted a godly life under the old covenant is a challenge to us who are called to live by a
far higher standard under the New Covenant)

FEAR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART

The eyes of the Lord are upon all who fear Him and He is their powerful protector and
strong support. No evil will happen to such a man. In the time of temptation God will keep
him and deliver him from evil. He who fears the Lord will not be timid and afraid. It will go
well with such a man, and on the day of his death he will be blessed. Dont come to the Lord
with a divided mind or be a hypocrite, for then God will reveal your secrets in the midst of
the assembly and cast you down.
Glorify the Lord as much as you possibly can, yet He will far exceed your praise. When you
exalt Him, put forth all your strength and do not become weary for you can never go far
enough.
SEEK AFTER WISDOM
Wisdom exalts her children and protects those who seek her. At first, when she chooses a
man, she will test him and scourge him with the affliction of her discipline, until she comes to
trust him. Then she will strengthen him, make a straight way for him, give him joy, reveal her
secrets to him and heap upon him the treasures of knowledge and the understanding of
righteousness. Put your feet then into the fetter of wisdom and your neck into her harness.
Keep her ways wholeheartedly and you will find that her fetters will become your strong
defence, and her harness your robe of glory.
Wisdom is gained by the man whose mind is not always occupied with his earthly
pursuits. The wise man applies his mind to Gods Word. He is occupied with the prophets
and seeks out wisdom. He searches out the hidden meanings of the proverbs. He rises early to
seek the Lord and prays. The Lord will then fill him with the spirit of wisdom, The things
that you have not laboured for and gathered in your youth, how will you find them in
your old age? Much experience is the crown of old men and the fear of God is their glory.
Even to your old age, you should keep finding wisdom.
Dont hide wisdom in the beauty of language. Foolishness should be hidden, but not wisdom.
Your love must be guided by wisdom.
HONOUR YOUR PARENTS
He who honours his mother is as one who lays up a treasure and he who honours his
father will have joy in his own children. Honour your father in work, in word and in all
patience. Dont glory if your father is dishonoured, for his shame is no glory to you. Support
your father in his old age. If his understanding fails, have patience with him; and dont
despise him just because you yourself are in the full strength of youth. Kindness to a father
will not be forgotten by the Lord. Honour your father with all your heart and dont ever forget
the birth-pains your mother went through for you. Remember that you owe your very being to
them. Repay them then for all that they have done for you. Remember your father and your
mother when you sit in the midst of great men and dont forget them in such company.
HONOUR YOUR ELDERS
Let us appreciate godly men who are rich in virtue and who live at peace in their homes.
Stand in the assembly of such wise elders and join yourself from your heart to their
wisdom, so that you may hear every message of theirs. Dont let any of their parables
escape you. From them you can learn understanding and how to give an answer according to
each persons need. If you know of a wise man, go often to him and let your foot wear out the
steps of his door. Be continually with a man who fears God and keeps His commandments,
whose mind is according to your own, and who will share your sorrow when you stumble and
fall. The mind of a holy man can reveal truths to warn you, more than seven watchmen who
sit on a high watchtower. But you will find only one such man among a thousand.
BE CAREFUL IN YOUR SPEECH
He who rules his tongue will live without strife; and he who hates gossip will avoid a lot of
evil. Dont repeat a slanderous conversation to another, lest you be punished for it. Have you
heard a word against your neighbour? Let it die within you. It will not make you burst. Dont
pass it on to a friend or to an enemy, unless it would be a sin for you to keep quiet. He who
reveals the secret of a friend loses credibility and will never find any who have confidence in
him.
If you heard that someone said something bad, question him about it. Maybe he didnt say it,
or maybe he was misunderstood. If he did say it, maybe he wont say it again. Exhort your
friend, for he may have committed a fault. Dont believe every word, for one can make a slip
in speech, without intending it. There is also a subtle cleverness in gossipers which is
unrighteous, for they often say too much in telling the truth. Close your ears and dont
give ear to a wicked tongue. Make a door and bolt for your own mouth. Dont blame any man
before you investigate; and when you have understood the truth, be righteous in your reproof.
Listen before you speak and dont interrupt others while they are speaking.
There is rebuke that is out of place, but it is better to give a rebuke than to stay angry. There is
one who keeps quiet because he does not know what to say, and there is another who keeps
quiet because it is not the right time to speak. A wise man will keep quiet until the right
time, but a chattering fool never knows the right moment. Dont hesitate to speak however
when salvation is at stake.
He who uses many words will hurt himself and he who assumes authority over others
unjustly (being a self-appointed censor of others) will be detested. Before judging others,
judge yourself and you will find mercy in the sight of God. Dont get involved in matters
that dont concern you, or you will suffer for it. If you have understanding, answer your
neighbour: but if not, hold your tongue, lest you say what you do not mean and cause
confusion. A gentle word wins friends and appeases enemies. Gracious speech proves a good
man. Dont add to the griefs of others by your unkind words. A good word is better than a
gift, but a generous man will give both.
The lips of the foolish are always speaking of things that have nothing to do with themselves,
but the words of the wise are weighed in a balance. The mind of a fool is in his mouth, but
the mouth of a wise man is in his mind. Dont praise a man before you hear his speech, for it
is by his speech that every man is evaluated.
The words of a wise man are sought after by the whole assembly, and many will think about
his words in their hearts. Young men, speak if your voice is needed, and yet only briefly even
if you are asked to speak twice. Let your speech be short, saying much in a few words. Be
as one who knows and yet keeps quiet. Hear in silence. If no-one is listening, dont talk.
Dont show off your wisdom at the wrong time. In the company of wise men, remember
that you are not their equal; so when elders are present, dont speak much.
Many have fallen by the edge of the sword but even more have perished by their own tongue.
It is better to slip on a pavement than slip with the tongue; it is thus that the wicked man falls
quickly. A lie is an ugly blot on a man and yet it is continually in the mouth of a wicked man.
A thief is better than a man who is always lying, but both will inherit destruction.
FLEE FROM THE LOVE OF MONEY
A covetous man who loves money has put up his own soul for sale. While he lives, his inner
being is rotting away. Riches are good for the one who has no sin on his conscience, but
not for a stingy man. Blessed is the man who has not sought after gold nor put his trust
in money. Trust in God and stay in your place, for it is easy for God to make a poor man
suddenly rich. The blessing of God is quick to reward the righteous man.
Give to the Most High as He has given to you and generously offer Him what you have
earned. The Lord rewards and will give you seven times as much. Dont let your hand be
stretched out to receive, and dont let it be closed when you should give. Do good to your
friends before you die; and according to your ability and wisdom, reach out your hand and
give to the poor. Place your treasure in the commandments of the Most High and it will bring
you more profit than gold.
Many sin for some miserly gain; and he who seeks riches will have to sacrifice his
conscience. As a nail sticks fast in the joint of two stones, so also is sin wedged between
selling and buying. Unless you hold yourself diligently in the fear of the Lord, you house
will be quickly overthrown.
Dont be beggar, for when a man has to depend on others, he does not really live he only
exists. A wise man will take care of his own needs. The gifts of others wont do you any
good, for they may expect a sevenfold return from you. Be content with little instead of much
and dont be greedy for luxury, for a man is often prevented from sinning by his poverty.
HUMBLE YOURSELF AND BE CAUTIOUS
The greater you are, the more you should humble yourself in all things. Then you will
find grace from the Lord. Many are in high places and well-known, but mysteries are
revealed only to the meek. Dont seek a high honour from the Lord nor a seat of honour from
the elders. Dont justify yourself before God for He knows your heart; and dont desire to
appear wise before the elders. Dont seek to become an elder unless you have the spiritual
strength to root out sin from the assembly.
Accept whatever comes your way. Be patient in your sorrow and also when you are humbled.
Good men are tested by God in the furnace of humiliation.
He who touches tar will be defiled with it and he who has fellowship with a proud man
will become proud himself. Every creature mingles with those that are like itself and every
man associates with those who are like him.
Dont praise a man for his good looks nor despise him for his appearance. Dont boast about
fine clothes at any time, for Gods works are secret and hidden and they alone are glorious.
Dont be humble in your own wisdom lest you be deceived into the folly of a false humility.
Dont be like a lion in your home or in the assembly, terrifying those around you or
oppressing them.
Dont seek for things that are too high for you at the moment. But think with reverence on
those things that are commanded you. It is not needful for you to see those things that the
Lord has hidden from you. Dont be curious in unnecessary matters, for more things have
already been revealed to you than most men understand.
A hypocrite can pretend to be humble, while being full of deceit inside. A man can be known
by the appearance, and a wise man by his face. The way a man dresses, his excessive laughter
and the way he walks will tell you what kind of man he is. A fool raises his voice when he
laughs, but a wise man will smile quietly. A fool will peer through the window of a house,
but he who is well taught will wait outside. It is bad manners for a man to listen at a door.
Dont rejoice in the fall of your neighbour. Forget the injuries done to you by your neighbour.
Forgive him and then when you pray, your sins will be forgiven you.
If you would find a friend, test him before you accept him and do not trust him easily. There
are those who are friends for their own benefit. Dont reveal your thoughts to every man.
Dont bring every man into your home for the snares of the deceitful are many. He who
trusts others too easily is simple-minded and will soon lose out.
BE CAREFUL WITH WOMEN
Men: Never gaze at a young girl, lest her beauty make you fall. Turn your eyes away
from a beautiful or shapely woman and dont look at beauty that belongs to another. For
many have perished because of the beauty of a woman, and by it lust can be kindled as a fire.
Dont spend time in the company of women. Dont look round about you in the streets of the
city, and dont wander in its lonely places.
Never sit at a table alone with someone elses wife nor spend time with her, lest you fall a
victim to her charms and ruin yourself. Many have fallen into sin by admiring the
beauty of another mans wife.
SISTERS BE GOOD WIVES
A good wife is a great blessing and is given by the Lord among the blessings to those who
fear Him. A virtuous woman gives joy to her husband and will fulfil the years of his life in
peace. A silent, loving woman is a gift of God. There is nothing like a woman well-
disciplined in godliness. A holy and modest woman is grace upon grace. Like the sun rising
over the world so is the beauty of a good wife in the way she orders her house. A woman who
honours her husband shall be judged the wisest of all woman; but she who dishonours him in
her pride shall be counted the most ungodly of all.
As the climbing of a sandy way is difficult for an old man, so is a talkative wife to a quiet
man. It is better to live with a lion or a dragon than with an evil wife.
RAISE GOD FEARING CHILDREN
Dont praise anyone before his death, for a man is known by his children. Dont rejoice
in having many children if the fear of God is not in them. It is better to have one child who
fears the Lord than to have a thousand ungodly children. It is better to die without children
than to have ungodly children survive you.
He who loves his son will discipline him, so that he may rejoice in the way he turns out.
When the father is dead, it will be as if he were not dead; for he has left behind one who
is just like himself. A horse that is not broken becomes unmanageable and a child left to
himself will become headstrong. If you give your son his own way, he will cause you
problems later on. If you pamper him, he will make you sorrowful. Humble him while he is
young and discipline him while he is a child, lest he grow stubborn and have no regard for
you and so bring sorrow to your heart. Instruct your son and work with him and make him
obedient from childhood. A bad-mannered son is the disgrace of his father. Dont give your
son any authority in his youth; and dont shut your eyes at his tricks. Dont give your son any
power over yourself while you live.
If you have daughters, have a concern for their virtue and dont allow them to be spoiled.
Prepare them at home for married life; and when the time comes, give them to wise men
in marriage. Keep a strict watch on a self-willed daughter, lest when she gets a chance she
hurts herself. Beware of her immodest eyes for with them she can disgrace you. Such a
daughter will open her mouth as a thirsty traveller to anyone who offers her water. She will
open her quiver to receive any mans arrow.
SOME RULES FOR GOOD HEALTH
Joyfulness of heart is the life of a man and lengthens his life, but sadness has killed many. A
good heart is seen in a happy face. The facial appearance changes as the heart becomes evil.
Envy and anger shorten a mans life, and anxiety will bring on old age before its time.
Watchfulness over wealth will consume your body and anxiety over it will make you
sleepless. Dont hate hard work which the Most High has ordained for all men. Idleness leads
to much evil.
When you sit a table, dont be the first to go after the food. Dont be greedy and say, There
is much good food here. Dont stretch out your hand to take whatever your eye sees and
delights in. Be wise. Eat as it is becoming for a wise man. Dont be greedy for delicate foods.
Be frugal and be the first to stop eating. A very little food is sufficient for a well-trained
man, and he will not then find it difficult to sleep. Sleeplessness, nausea, irritability and
stomach-aches are with a glutton. Sound sleep comes from moderate eating. Such a man can
rise up early and his senses will be with him. Excess of food brings sickness. Many have
perished through over eating; but he who controls his eating habits will prolong his life.
All healing is from God and the doctor too has received his wisdom from God. The Most
High has placed medicinal power in the healing herbs of the earth, and a wise man will not
despise them. Wasnt the bitter water healed by the branch of a tree once (Exodus 15:25-26)?
God endows men with knowledge to recognise these wonders of His, and thus the druggist
prepares his medicines and the doctor eases pain and cures diseases. Thus Gods creative
work continues without ceasing in efficacy, on the face of the earth.
Use your sickness to turn away from sin. Cleanse your heart and let your hands be
righteous. Pray specifically to the Lord for healing and then ask the doctor to treat you. The
doctor should also pray to the Lord that his diagnosis may be correct and that his treatment
may bring a cure. The Lord will heal you.
A FINAL WORD
Never take any important decision without much consideration. Blessed is the man who never
gives up hope. He who having been tested is found perfect will have everlasting glory.