Sirach 19:7-8

[Pope_St_Linus]

My friend quoted Sirach 19:7-8 intending to prove that Sirach is contrary to other Scripture. It reads: “Tell nothing to friend or foe; if you have fault, reveal it not, For he who hears it will hold it against you, and in time become your enemy.” He says that this is contrary to the spirit of confessing one’s sins. How do I answer this? The context of this verse is not gossiping, but how does this constitute gossip?

 

[twinc]

there is a saying that goes "if you have a friend,treat him/her as such and never let him/her know too much for if your friend becomes a foe then all the world will your secrets know - twinc

 

[NotWorthy]

My friend quoted Sirach 19:7-8 intending to prove that Sirach is contrary to other Scripture. It reads: “Tell nothing to friend or foe; if you have fault, reveal it not, For he who hears it will hold it against you, and in time become your enemy.” He says that this is contrary to the spirit of confessing one’s sins. How do I answer this? The context of this verse is not gossiping, but how does this constitute gossip?

What translation are you looking at?

The RSV puts it this way.

Never repeat a conversation, and you will lose nothing at all. With friend or foe do not report it, and unless it would be a sin for you, do not disclose it; for some one has heard you and watched you and when the time comes he will hate you.

The Douay-Rheims says this:

[7] Rehearse not again a wicked and harsh word, and thou shalt not fare the worse. [8] Tell not thy mind to friend or foe: and if there be a sin with thee, disclose it not. [9] For he will hearken to thee, and will watch thee, and as it were defending thy sin he will hate thee, and so will he be with thee always.

I included in both quote verse 9, for it continues the thought of verse 8.

It is obvious, when reading the context, that the author is talking about gossip and refraining from repeating it. If you tell a friend something that can be used against you, then that friend may become an enemy and use this to his advantage.

I see wise advise in this, as I do elsewhere in Sirach. Why does your friend have a problem with this. The priesthood was not set up yet, so I don’t see how this can nullify the Sacrament of Confession. Priests, as you well know, can not use what you say against you.

 

[NHInsider]

The Wisdom literature contains many observations on the human condition which cannot be taken as instructions from God. Today’s OT reading, for example, is the famous “vanity of vanities” meditation. But we don’t believe, in fact, that God wants us to think this life is meaningless, despite the fact that Qoheleth repeats this statement over and over.

Besides which, there are plenty of things in Scripture which, quoted out of context, can appear to contradict other things in Scripture. For example in today’s Gospel - you could cite only verse 19 of Luke 12, and say the Bible says “eat, drink and be merry” is the rule of life. You can pluck a verse here and a verse there and claim to have proved - or disproved - Truth. Rather like an edited videotape or a photoshopped picture. Context is essential - in the case of Scripture, context includes 2000+ years of Tradition.

 

[Joe_Kelley]

My friend quoted Sirach 19:7-8 intending to prove that Sirach is contrary to other Scripture. It reads: “Tell nothing to friend or foe; if you have fault, reveal it not, For he who hears it will hold it against you, and in time become your enemy.” He says that this is contrary to the spirit of confessing one’s sins. How do I answer this? The context of this verse is not gossiping, but how does this constitute gossip?

One can safely reveal it to Jesus, through the priest, He will not hold it against you. The priest is specifically forbidden to use, or remember, it except in the context of forgiving it in the persona of Jesus.