HAYDOCK CATHOLIC BIBLE COMMENTARY ON THE OLD TESTAMENT

ECCLESIASTICUS 5

CHAPTER V.

Ver. 1. Unjust. The translator styles riches unjust, because they often proceed from, or tend to injustice. They can afford no protection in death. Ps. xlviii. 17. Lu. xi. 19. and xvi. 9. C.

Ver. 2. Heart. If no man can oppose thee, remember God's judgments. W.

Ver. 3. How mighty am I? is not in Gr. though read by S. Cyp. and S. Aug. Spec. --- Sennacherib's vain boasting was soon punished. Is. xxxvii. 36. C.

Ver. 4. Rewarder. Gr. "is long-suffering, he will not let thee escape."

Ver. 5. And add. Gr. "to add." Take not occasion from God's goodness to offend him. H. --- He will punish at last. Jans. --- Though you may have taken pains to repent, are you assured of being forgiven? Eccle. ix. 1. A relapse calls for greater severity, though the graces of God are without repentance. Rom. xi. 29. He does not recall his favours, but he hates the ungrateful, v. 6. Bell. Just. iii. 4. C. --- Satisfaction must be made even after the sin has been remitted. W. --- This may be feared. M.

Ver. 7. Looketh. Gr. "shall rest" in hell, to punish the abuse of mercy. H.

Ver. 8. Day. A rabbin being asked when one must repent? answered, the day before death. But we know not when that will take place! Then, replied he, we must repent to-day. Drus. --- "God has promised thee pardon, if thou repent, but he has not promised thee to-morrow." S. Aug. Ps. cxiv.

Ver. 12. The way. Greek, "thy knowledge or sentiment, and let thy speech be one," (H.) that men may depend upon thee.

Ver. 13. Word. Comp. adds, "of God." But the Rom. edit. has, "be quick to hear, and answer slowly." Jam. i. 19. "It is safer to hear than to preach." S. Aug. lix. in Jo. --- Constancy in virtue will obtain the promised peace. W.

Ver. 14. Lest. Gr. "honour and infamy is in speech; and the tongue of man proves his ruin." H. --- Nothing can be productive of better or of worse consequences. Prov. xviii. 21. C.

Ver. 16. Be. Gr. "ensnare not by thy tongue, (17.) for evil confusion is upon the thief, and great condemnation on the double-tongued. 18.) Be not ignorant in any thing, great or small." H. --- The detractor is more dangerous than the thief. He pierces without being seen. Eccle. x. 11. Prov. xxvi. 20. Rom. i. 29.

Ver. 18. Great. Only examine the justice of the cause; or, according to the Greek, commit no fault of ignorance, nor say, "I did not think." C. --- Acknowledge thy friend in his poverty, as well as in his greatness. H.