Old Testament · Deuterocanonical
The Book of Sirach
The Book of Sirach is the twenty-sixth of the 46 books of the Old Testament, and one of its 7 deuterocanonical books: 51 chapters and 1,591 verses. The Douay-Rheims calls it Ecclesiasticus.
About Sirach
About Sirach · Wisdom instruction
Sirach — called Ecclesiasticus in the Douay-Rheims — is the teaching of Jesus ben Sirach, a Jerusalem sage of about two centuries before Christ, translated into Greek by his own grandson. It is the longest wisdom book in Scripture, covering friendship, speech, wealth, humility, parenting, worship, and death with unusual warmth and realism. It was written to show that Israel's faith, not Greek culture, is the true school of a good life. The Church used it so heavily in teaching converts that it earned its Latin name, the church book.
| Testament | Old Testament — book 26 of 46, 26 of 73 in the Bible |
|---|---|
| Canon | Deuterocanonical |
| Chapters | 51 |
| Verses | 1,591, as Bless numbers them |
| In the Douay-Rheims | Ecclesiasticus |
| Latin | Clementine Vulgate, 50 of 51 chapters |
| Bp. Challoner | Summaries of all 51 chapters · 37 notes |
| Catechism | 16 paragraphs cite it |
Chapter by chapter
All 51 chapters, in brief.
Bishop Richard Challoner’s summary of each chapter, from his revision of the Douay-Rheims (1749–52). Open a chapter for the full text.
Sirach 1
40 versesAll wisdom is from God, and is given to them that fear and love God.
Sirach 2
23 versesGod's servants must look for temptations: and must arm themselves with patience and confidence in God.
Sirach 3
34 versesLessons concerning the honour of parents, and humility, and avoiding curiosity.
Sirach 4
36 versesAn exhortation to works of mercy, and to the love of wisdom.
Sirach 5
18 versesWe must not presume of our wealth or strength: nor of the mercy of God, to go on in sin: we must be steadfast in virtue and truth.
Sirach 6
37 versesOf true and false friends: and of the of the fruits of wisdom.
Sirach 7
40 versesReligious and moral duties.
Sirach 8
22 versesOther lessons of wisdom and virtue.
Sirach 9
25 versesCautions with regard to women, and dangerous conversations.
Sirach 10
34 versesThe virtues and vices of men in power: the great evil of pride.
Sirach 11
36 versesLessons of humility and moderation in all things.
Sirach 12
19 versesWe are to be liberal to the just: and not to trust the wicked.
Sirach 13
32 versesCautions in the choice of company.
Sirach 14
27 versesThe evil of avarice: works of mercy are recommended, and the love of wisdom.
Sirach 15
22 versesWisdom embraceth them that fear God. God is not the author of sin.
Sirach 16
31 versesIt is better to have none than many wicked children. Of the justice and mercy of God. His ways are unsearchable.
Sirach 17
31 versesThe creation and favour of God to man. An exhortation to turn to God.
Sirach 18
33 versesGod's works are wonderful: we must serve him, and not our lusts.
Sirach 19
28 versesAdmonition against sundry vices.
Sirach 20
33 versesRules with regard to correction, discretion, and avoiding lies.
Sirach 21
31 versesCautions against sin in general, and some sins in particular.
Sirach 22
33 versesWise sayings on divers subjects.
Sirach 23
38 versesA prayer for grace to flee sin: cautions against profane swearing and other vices.
Sirach 24
47 versesWisdom praiseth herself: her origin, her dwelling, her dignity, and her fruits.
Sirach 25
36 versesDocuments of wisdom on several subjects.
Sirach 26
28 versesOf good and bad women.
Sirach 27
33 versesDangers of sin from several heads: the fear of God is the best preservative. He that diggeth a pit, shall fall into it.
Sirach 28
30 versesLessons against revenge and quarrels. The evils of the tongue.
Sirach 29
34 versesOf charity in lending money, and justice in repaying. Of alms, and of being surety.
Sirach 30
27 versesOf correction of children. Health is better than wealth. Excessive grief is hurtful.
Sirach 31
42 versesOf the desire of riches, and of moderation in eating and drinking.
Sirach 32
28 versesLessons for superiors and inferiors. Advantages of fearing God, and doing nothing without counsel.
Sirach 33
33 versesThe fear of God is the best security. Times and men are in the hands of God. Take care of thyself as long as thou livest, and look to thy servants.
Sirach 34
31 versesThe vanity of dreams. The advantage of experience, and of the fear of God.
Sirach 35
26 versesWhat sacrifices are pleasing to God.
Sirach 36
28 versesA prayer for the church of God. Of a good heart, and a good wife.
Sirach 37
34 versesOf the choice of friends and counsellors.
Sirach 38
39 versesOf physicians and medicines: what is to be done in sickness, and how we are to mourn for the dead. Of the employments of labourers and artificers.
Sirach 39
41 versesThe exercises of the wise man. The Lord is to be glorified for his works.
Sirach 40
32 versesThe miseries of the life of man are relieved by the grace of God and his fear.
Sirach 41
28 versesOf the remembrance of death: of an evil and of a good name: of what things we ought to be ashamed.
Sirach 42
26 versesOf what things we ought not to be ashamed. Cautions with regard to women. The works and greatness of God.
Sirach 43
37 versesThe works of God are exceedingly glorious and wonderful: no man is able sufficiently to praise him.
Sirach 44
27 versesThe praises of the holy fathers, in particular of Enoch, Noe, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
Sirach 45
31 versesThe praises of Moses, of Aaron, and of Phinees.
Sirach 46
23 versesThe praise of Josue, of Caleb, and of Samuel.
Sirach 47
31 versesThe praise of Nathan, of David, and of Solomon: Of his fall and punishment.
Sirach 48
28 versesThe praise of Elias, of Eliseus, of Ezechias, and of Isaias.
Sirach 49
19 versesThe praise of Josias, of Jeremias, Ezechiel, and the twelve prophets. Also of Zorobabel, Jesus the son of Josedech, Nehemias, Enoch, Joseph, Seth, Sem, and Adam.
Sirach 50
31 versesThe praises of Simon the high priest. The conclusion.
Sirach 51
38 versesA prayer of praise and thanksgiving.
Bp. Richard Challoner · chapter summaries
In the comments
What the saints said.
1 quotation from 1 saint linked to passages of Sirach in Bless. Each names the work it comes from.
St. Benedict of Nursia · on Sirach 7:36
On this theme
Keep death daily before your eyes.
Rule of St. Benedict, ch. 4, c. 530
Coming up
Read at Mass.
From October 29, 2026 to October 28, 2027, Sirach is read at the principal Mass on 12 days in the US calendar. The next 8 readings:
| Date | Celebration | Reading | Citation |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph | First Reading | Sirach 3:2-6, 12-14 | |
| Tuesday of the Seventh Week in Ordinary Time | First Reading | Sirach 2:1-11 | |
| Wednesday of the Seventh Week in Ordinary Time | First Reading | Sirach 4:11-19 | |
| Thursday of the Seventh Week in Ordinary Time | First Reading | Sirach 5:1-8 | |
| Friday of the Seventh Week in Ordinary Time | First Reading | Sirach 6:5-17 | |
| Saturday of the Seventh Week in Ordinary Time | First Reading | Sirach 17:1-15 | |
| Monday of the Eighth Week in Ordinary Time | First Reading | Sirach 17:20-24 | |
| Tuesday of the Eighth Week in Ordinary Time | First Reading | Sirach 35:1-12 | |
| St. Philip Neri, Priest | First Reading | Sirach 36:1, 4-5a, 10-17 | |
| Thursday of the Eighth Week in Ordinary Time | First Reading | Sirach 42:15-25 | |
| Friday of the Eighth Week in Ordinary Time | First Reading | Sirach 44:1, 9-13 | |
| Saturday of the Eighth Week in Ordinary Time | First Reading | Sirach 51:12cd-20 | |
| computed | Saturday of the Second Week of Advent | First Reading | Sirach 48:1-4, 9-11 |
| computed | The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph | First Reading | Sirach 3:2-6, 12-14 |
| computed | Friday of the Fourth Week in Ordinary Time | First Reading | Sirach 47:2-11 |
| computed | Eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time | First Reading | Sirach 27:4-7 |
| computed | Thursday of the Eleventh Week in Ordinary Time | First Reading | Sirach 48:1-14 |
| computed | Twenty-second Sunday in Ordinary Time | First Reading | Sirach 3:17-18, 20, 28-29 |
| computed | Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time | First Reading | Sirach 35:12-14, 16-18 |
| computed | Saturday of the Second Week of Advent | First Reading | Sirach 48:1-4, 9-11 |
| computed | The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph | First Reading | Sirach 3:2-6, 12-14 |
No more readings are listed here; the liturgical calendar has every date through December 31, 2028.
Citations as published in the USCCB liturgical calendar (principal Mass, first option). Dates after May 31, 2027 are computed by Bless from the US Lectionary cycle — confirm with your parish.