Sirach (Ecclesiasticus) — Chapter 42

Of these things be not thou ashamed, and accept no person to sin therewith: of the law of the Most High and His covenant, and of judgment to justify the ungodly. Things that are not shameful: enforcing the law, rendering just judgment, keeping accurate accounts, disciplining servants and children. Lapide contrasts these apparent social embarrassments with genuine moral obligations.

A daughter is a hidden treasure to her father; the care of her taketh away sleep; lest she should be gained by others in youth, and dwelling with her husband she should be hateful. The father's constant anxiety about his daughter's virtue and honor. Lapide expounds this sympathetically: a daughter's purity is her father's treasure; its loss is irreversible and its damage extends to the whole family.

God investigates the abyss and the hearts of men, knowing all their thoughts. Lapide treats divine omniscience as the theological foundation of all moral accountability: because God sees everything—past, present, and future—no sin can ultimately escape His gaze or His judgment.

The greatness of His wisdom He hath magnified; He is from everlasting to everlasting, and nothing can be added or diminished. Divine wisdom is self-sufficient and eternal: no human action can add to or subtract from it. Lapide uses this to ground a proper theological humility before the incomprehensible mystery of God.

How desirable are all His works! and what we can know is but a spark. All creation is beautiful and desirable, yet only a spark of God's infinite beauty. Lapide's commentary turns to a lengthy meditation on the beauty and goodness of the created world as a reflection of divine perfection.