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Wisdom of Ben Sira 21:9-11
New Catholic Bible
Wisdom of Ben Sira 21:9-11
New Catholic Bible
9 A band of the wicked is like a bundle of fibers;
it will end in a blazing fire.
10 The path of sinners is smoothly paved,
but it ends in the depths of the netherworld.[a]
Portraits of the Wise and the Foolish[b]
11 He who keeps the law controls his thoughts;
the fear of the Lord results in wisdom.
Footnotes
- Wisdom of Ben Sira 21:10 The path of sinners . . . the depths of the netherworld: the author urges people to repent, for in the netherworld, there is no loving contact with God (see Pss 6:6; 30:10; 88:5-11; 115:17-18; Isa 38:18-19; Bar 2:17). It remained for Christ to reveal an eternal retribution (see Mt 7:13f; 25:41-46; Lk 16:19-31).
- Wisdom of Ben Sira 21:11 Reverence toward the Lord, observance of the law, and mastery of one’s existence, thoughts, and words are the qualities that are lacking to the foolish and distinguish the wise.
