--- title: "Book of Sirach (Ecclesiasticus): Summary & All 51 Chapters" url: https://blessbible.app/bible/sirach/ description: "The Book of Sirach (also called Ecclesiasticus), a wisdom instruction in 51 chapters. Bp. Challoner’s summary of all 51 chapters, and the full text free." --- 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. [Start reading: Sirach 1](https://blessbible.app/bible/sirach/1/) Chapters 1–51: [1](https://blessbible.app/bible/sirach/1/) … [51](https://blessbible.app/bible/sirach/51/) ## 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. *Sirach in Bless* | | | |---|---| | 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. 1. ### [Sirach 1](https://blessbible.app/bible/sirach/1/) 40 verses All wisdom is from God, and is given to them that fear and love God. 2. ### [Sirach 2](https://blessbible.app/bible/sirach/2/) 23 verses God's servants must look for temptations: and must arm themselves with patience and confidence in God. 3. ### [Sirach 3](https://blessbible.app/bible/sirach/3/) 34 verses Lessons concerning the honour of parents, and humility, and avoiding curiosity. 4. ### [Sirach 4](https://blessbible.app/bible/sirach/4/) 36 verses An exhortation to works of mercy, and to the love of wisdom. 5. ### [Sirach 5](https://blessbible.app/bible/sirach/5/) 18 verses We 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. 6. ### [Sirach 6](https://blessbible.app/bible/sirach/6/) 37 verses Of true and false friends: and of the of the fruits of wisdom. 7. ### [Sirach 7](https://blessbible.app/bible/sirach/7/) 40 verses Religious and moral duties. 8. ### [Sirach 8](https://blessbible.app/bible/sirach/8/) 22 verses Other lessons of wisdom and virtue. 9. ### [Sirach 9](https://blessbible.app/bible/sirach/9/) 25 verses Cautions with regard to women, and dangerous conversations. 10. ### [Sirach 10](https://blessbible.app/bible/sirach/10/) 34 verses The virtues and vices of men in power: the great evil of pride. 11. ### [Sirach 11](https://blessbible.app/bible/sirach/11/) 36 verses Lessons of humility and moderation in all things. 12. ### [Sirach 12](https://blessbible.app/bible/sirach/12/) 19 verses We are to be liberal to the just: and not to trust the wicked. 13. ### [Sirach 13](https://blessbible.app/bible/sirach/13/) 32 verses Cautions in the choice of company. 14. ### [Sirach 14](https://blessbible.app/bible/sirach/14/) 27 verses The evil of avarice: works of mercy are recommended, and the love of wisdom. 15. ### [Sirach 15](https://blessbible.app/bible/sirach/15/) 22 verses Wisdom embraceth them that fear God. God is not the author of sin. 16. ### [Sirach 16](https://blessbible.app/bible/sirach/16/) 31 verses It is better to have none than many wicked children. Of the justice and mercy of God. His ways are unsearchable. 17. ### [Sirach 17](https://blessbible.app/bible/sirach/17/) 31 verses The creation and favour of God to man. An exhortation to turn to God. 18. ### [Sirach 18](https://blessbible.app/bible/sirach/18/) 33 verses God's works are wonderful: we must serve him, and not our lusts. 19. ### [Sirach 19](https://blessbible.app/bible/sirach/19/) 28 verses Admonition against sundry vices. 20. ### [Sirach 20](https://blessbible.app/bible/sirach/20/) 33 verses Rules with regard to correction, discretion, and avoiding lies. 21. ### [Sirach 21](https://blessbible.app/bible/sirach/21/) 31 verses Cautions against sin in general, and some sins in particular. 22. ### [Sirach 22](https://blessbible.app/bible/sirach/22/) 33 verses Wise sayings on divers subjects. 23. ### [Sirach 23](https://blessbible.app/bible/sirach/23/) 38 verses A prayer for grace to flee sin: cautions against profane swearing and other vices. 24. ### [Sirach 24](https://blessbible.app/bible/sirach/24/) 47 verses Wisdom praiseth herself: her origin, her dwelling, her dignity, and her fruits. 25. ### [Sirach 25](https://blessbible.app/bible/sirach/25/) 36 verses Documents of wisdom on several subjects. 26. ### [Sirach 26](https://blessbible.app/bible/sirach/26/) 28 verses Of good and bad women. 27. ### [Sirach 27](https://blessbible.app/bible/sirach/27/) 33 verses Dangers of sin from several heads: the fear of God is the best preservative. He that diggeth a pit, shall fall into it. 28. ### [Sirach 28](https://blessbible.app/bible/sirach/28/) 30 verses Lessons against revenge and quarrels. The evils of the tongue. 29. ### [Sirach 29](https://blessbible.app/bible/sirach/29/) 34 verses Of charity in lending money, and justice in repaying. Of alms, and of being surety. 30. ### [Sirach 30](https://blessbible.app/bible/sirach/30/) 27 verses Of correction of children. Health is better than wealth. Excessive grief is hurtful. 31. ### [Sirach 31](https://blessbible.app/bible/sirach/31/) 42 verses Of the desire of riches, and of moderation in eating and drinking. 32. ### [Sirach 32](https://blessbible.app/bible/sirach/32/) 28 verses Lessons for superiors and inferiors. Advantages of fearing God, and doing nothing without counsel. 33. ### [Sirach 33](https://blessbible.app/bible/sirach/33/) 33 verses The 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. 34. ### [Sirach 34](https://blessbible.app/bible/sirach/34/) 31 verses The vanity of dreams. The advantage of experience, and of the fear of God. 35. ### [Sirach 35](https://blessbible.app/bible/sirach/35/) 26 verses What sacrifices are pleasing to God. 36. ### [Sirach 36](https://blessbible.app/bible/sirach/36/) 28 verses A prayer for the church of God. Of a good heart, and a good wife. 37. ### [Sirach 37](https://blessbible.app/bible/sirach/37/) 34 verses Of the choice of friends and counsellors. 38. ### [Sirach 38](https://blessbible.app/bible/sirach/38/) 39 verses Of 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. 39. ### [Sirach 39](https://blessbible.app/bible/sirach/39/) 41 verses The exercises of the wise man. The Lord is to be glorified for his works. 40. ### [Sirach 40](https://blessbible.app/bible/sirach/40/) 32 verses The miseries of the life of man are relieved by the grace of God and his fear. 41. ### [Sirach 41](https://blessbible.app/bible/sirach/41/) 28 verses Of the remembrance of death: of an evil and of a good name: of what things we ought to be ashamed. 42. ### [Sirach 42](https://blessbible.app/bible/sirach/42/) 26 verses Of what things we ought not to be ashamed. Cautions with regard to women. The works and greatness of God. 43. ### [Sirach 43](https://blessbible.app/bible/sirach/43/) 37 verses The works of God are exceedingly glorious and wonderful: no man is able sufficiently to praise him. 44. ### [Sirach 44](https://blessbible.app/bible/sirach/44/) 27 verses The praises of the holy fathers, in particular of Enoch, Noe, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. 45. ### [Sirach 45](https://blessbible.app/bible/sirach/45/) 31 verses The praises of Moses, of Aaron, and of Phinees. 46. ### [Sirach 46](https://blessbible.app/bible/sirach/46/) 23 verses The praise of Josue, of Caleb, and of Samuel. 47. ### [Sirach 47](https://blessbible.app/bible/sirach/47/) 31 verses The praise of Nathan, of David, and of Solomon: Of his fall and punishment. 48. ### [Sirach 48](https://blessbible.app/bible/sirach/48/) 28 verses The praise of Elias, of Eliseus, of Ezechias, and of Isaias. 49. ### [Sirach 49](https://blessbible.app/bible/sirach/49/) 19 verses The 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. 50. ### [Sirach 50](https://blessbible.app/bible/sirach/50/) 31 verses The praises of Simon the high priest. The conclusion. 51. ### [Sirach 51](https://blessbible.app/bible/sirach/51/) 38 verses A 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](https://blessbible.app/saints/st-benedict-of-nursia/) · on [Sirach 7:36](https://blessbible.app/bible/sirach/7/#v36) 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 | |---|---|---|---| | [Sun, Dec 27, 2026](https://blessbible.app/calendar/2026/12/27/) | The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph | First Reading | [Sirach 3:2-6, 12-14](https://blessbible.app/bible/sirach/3/) | | [Tue, May 18, 2027](https://blessbible.app/calendar/2027/05/18/) | Tuesday of the Seventh Week in Ordinary Time | First Reading | [Sirach 2:1-11](https://blessbible.app/bible/sirach/2/) | | [Wed, May 19, 2027](https://blessbible.app/calendar/2027/05/19/) | Wednesday of the Seventh Week in Ordinary Time | First Reading | [Sirach 4:11-19](https://blessbible.app/bible/sirach/4/) | | [Thu, May 20, 2027](https://blessbible.app/calendar/2027/05/20/) | Thursday of the Seventh Week in Ordinary Time | First Reading | [Sirach 5:1-8](https://blessbible.app/bible/sirach/5/) | | [Fri, May 21, 2027](https://blessbible.app/calendar/2027/05/21/) | Friday of the Seventh Week in Ordinary Time | First Reading | [Sirach 6:5-17](https://blessbible.app/bible/sirach/6/) | | [Sat, May 22, 2027](https://blessbible.app/calendar/2027/05/22/) | Saturday of the Seventh Week in Ordinary Time | First Reading | [Sirach 17:1-15](https://blessbible.app/bible/sirach/17/) | | [Mon, May 24, 2027](https://blessbible.app/calendar/2027/05/24/) | Monday of the Eighth Week in Ordinary Time | First Reading | [Sirach 17:20-24](https://blessbible.app/bible/sirach/17/) | | [Tue, May 25, 2027](https://blessbible.app/calendar/2027/05/25/) | Tuesday of the Eighth Week in Ordinary Time | First Reading | [Sirach 35:1-12](https://blessbible.app/bible/sirach/35/) | Citations as published in the USCCB liturgical calendar (principal Mass, first option). [Previous book The Book of Wisdom](https://blessbible.app/bible/wisdom/) [Next book The Book of Isaiah](https://blessbible.app/bible/isaiah/)