HAYDOCK CATHOLIC BIBLE COMMENTARY ON THE OLD TESTAMENT

ECCLESIASTICUS 35

CHAPTER XXXV.

Ver. 1. Offerings. He cannot otherwise observe the law. H. --- Virtue is the most acceptable sacrifice. C. --- The sacrifices of penance, of justice, and of praise, are to be preferred before all external ones. W.

Ver. 2. And to. Gr. (4.) "He," &c. H. --- The peace-offering and that for sin, as well as the oblation of fine flour and of praise, (which is the most perfect of all) are noticed. C. --- External sacrifice must not be neglected. W.

Ver. 4. Sacrifice. Gr. adds, "of praise." H. --- This was the true spirit of the law. C.

Ver. 6. Lord. The poor, who present a virtuous heart, are more acceptable than the rich, who are buried in sin, though the latter may offer the most splendid sacrifices. H. --- God requires that all should do according to their abilities. If they have nothing, they must fulfill the commandments, and he will be satisfied. Some have inferred from Ex. xxiii. 16. that the poor were rejected. But the meaning of the law is here explained. C.

Ver. 10. Heart. Lit. "mind." Gr. "eye," (H.) free from avarice. 2 Cor. ix. 7.

Ver. 11. Sanctify: "set apart" for the use of the ministers, and of the temple. C. --- God will reward thee much more. W.

Ver. 14. Wicked; defective. Lev. xxii. 21. Mal. i. 7. Gr. "curtailed, or ill-acquired," (C.) or "do not bribe" God; (dorokopei. Grot.) as the word is used 2 Mac. God will not regard our gifts, to let our offences escape punishment. Is. xlii. 1. C.

Ver. 19. For, &c. is not in Greek. God will protect the defenceless. H.

Ver. 21. He, or "it." C. --- Prayer is personified, and presents itself before God.

Ver. 22. Them, the Gentiles, &c. v. 23. Gr. "will not delay to punish them, till he crush the loins of the unmerciful. And," &c. H.

Ver. 23. Unjust Egyptians, Syrians, and Greeks, who then oppressed the Jews.

Ver. 24. Adam, who was not spared. C. --- Gr. "of men and their desires." H. --- Our version seems to be taken from the Heb. D. --- Adam sometimes denotes any man. M.

Ver. 26. The. Gr. "mercy is beautiful," &c. Ps. ix. 10. H.