Sirach (Ecclesiasticus) — Chapter 4

Defraud not the poor of alms, and turn not away thy eyes from the poor. Lapide expounds that the poor have a claim—not of strict justice but of charity—to the surplus of the rich. He cites Basil, Ambrose, Chrysostom, and Jerome at length: what one withholds from the poor is actually their property, not one's own.

Despise not the hungry soul; and provoke not the poor in his want. To despise or irritate a poor person in his need is a double injustice against both him and God. Lapide notes that the poor man's cry reaches heaven and provokes divine judgment against the hard-hearted wealthy.

Reject not the prayer of the afflicted, and turn not away thy face from the needy. Refusing the prayer of the distressed constitutes a grave sin because God Himself hears their cry. Lapide cites Psalm 9 and multiple prophets on God's special hearing of the poor.

For the prayer of him that curseth thee in the bitterness of his soul shall be heard; for He that made him will hear him. Even a poor man's bitter curse against his oppressor will reach God's ears. Lapide uses this as a deterrent against hard-heartedness: the very injury inflicted on the poor gives them a potent weapon of prayer before God.

Make thyself affable to the congregation of the poor, and humble thy soul to the ancient and bow thy head to a great man. Social graciousness toward the poor, reverence toward elders, and deference to the great are all expressions of Christian social virtue. Lapide notes this is not servility but prudent humility.

Deliver him that suffereth wrong from the hand of the proud; and be not fainthearted in thy soul. Active advocacy for those suffering injustice is commanded. Lapide teaches that passive tolerance of injustice when one could intervene makes one complicit; but courage requires prudence.

In judging be merciful to the fatherless, and take care of their mother, and be as a father to them. The fatherless and widowed have God's special attention; those who act as advocates for them become \"sons of the Most High\" (v. 11). Lapide cites multiple patristic texts on the special dignity of this ministry.

Wisdom breatheth life into her children, and protecteth them that seek her, and will go before them in the way of justice. Wisdom here acts as a divine mother who animates her children with spiritual life, guards them, and leads them in the path of righteousness. Lapide interprets this of divine wisdom, ultimately of the Holy Spirit.

They that hold her fast, shall inherit life; and whithersoever she entereth, God will bless. Those who tenaciously hold wisdom will inherit life—eternal life. Lapide's commentary emphasizes the causal connection between embracing wisdom and receiving divine blessing in every circumstance.

For she will walk with him in temptation, and at first she will choose him and bring him through fears and dread and try him with her discipline, till she hath tried him in his thoughts and trusted his soul. Wisdom first tests and disciplines her disciples through trials and fears before fully revealing her secrets. Lapide draws a parallel with how masters test apprentices before entrusting them with the mysteries of their art.

Son, observe the time and fly from evil. Lapide teaches discernment of times and seasons as a mark of wisdom. Not all occasions demand equal response; the wise man knows when to speak and when to be silent, when to act and when to wait.

Be not ashamed to speak the truth for thy soul's sake. Lapide distinguishes good shame (which prevents sin) from bad shame (which prevents virtue). Truthfulness for one's own spiritual good and for others' is a virtue that must overcome false modesty and human respect.

Be not hasty with thy tongue, and slack and remiss in thy works. Lapide counsels the complementary virtues of restraint in speech and diligence in action. He cites Aristotle and multiple Fathers on the discipline of the tongue as the beginning of wisdom.

Strive for justice for thy soul, and even unto death fight for justice; and God will overcome thy enemies for thee. Agonistic struggle for justice, even to martyrdom if necessary, is rewarded by God's direct intervention against one's enemies. Lapide cites the Maccabees and Christian martyrs as the supreme examples of this principle.