Sirach (Ecclesiasticus) — Chapter 27
Chapter 27 treats the corruption of commerce by covetousness (vv. 1-4), then various aspects of speech and its testing through trial (vv. 5-10), then the irreparable harm of betraying secrets (vv. 17-24), and concludes with the principle that the harm plotted against others falls back upon the schemer (vv. 28-33). Lapide treats the chapter as a unity around the theme of integrity in speech and commerce.
Verse 1
For the sake of profit many have sinned, and he that seeketh to be enriched turneth away his eye. The love of profit is the root of commercial dishonesty. Lapide traces how merchants' desire for gain leads them to avert their eyes from justice and truth. He cites Christ's warning on Mammon (Luke 16:9-11).
Verse 5
As the sieve retaineth the refuse, so the doubts of a man remain in his thought. The character of a man is revealed in tribulation as the sieve reveals the chaff. Lapide treats trial as the divine instrument for purifying souls, distinguishing the genuine from the counterfeit, as fire tests gold (Sir. 2:5).
Verse 7
Before thou hearest, commend not a man; for this is the trial of men. Speech under trial reveals character. Lapide advises: do not praise a man before hearing him speak at length in difficult circumstances, for speech is the window of the soul.
Verse 17
Who so discovereth the secret of a friend loseth his credit, and shall never find a friend to his mind. Betrayal of a secret destroys friendship irreparably. Lapide develops an extended analysis of why secret-keeping is the very foundation of trust, using multiple classical and biblical examples.
Verse 25
He that casteth a stone on high casteth it on his own head; and the deceitful stroke shall wound the deceitful. The moral law of retribution: the schemer's plot returns upon himself. Lapide uses this as the chapter's theological conclusion: divine justice ensures that malice against the innocent ultimately falls back upon the malicious.