ReverendResponsible stewardship

Sirach — Chapter 33 — Hebrew–Greek comparison

God’s Ordering and Household Authority

Saints Translation · V2 · Hebrew–Greek working comparison

Sirach 33 · 33 source units
Hebrew–English · Literal-Smooth	Greek–English · Literal-Smooth	Classification & Notes
Hebrew 33:1 · translated Evil will not meet one who fears YHWH; even in testing he will return and escape. Hebrew witness B · B V Verso ירא ייי לא יפגע רע ]] [[ כי אם בניסוי ]שב <ושב> נמ[ל]ט׃ ] Manuscript transcription	33:1 Evil will not meet the one who fears the Lord; even in testing he will be rescued again.	Similar · Hebrew 33:1 — Core sense agrees; independent Hebrew rendering of the selected primary witness. No claim of letter-for-letter identity.
Hebrew 33:2 · fragmentary One who hates Torah will not grow wise; he is tossed about, his ear as in a storm. Hebrew witness B · B V Verso לא יחכם שונא תורה ]] [[ ומתמוטט כמסׄ ]ערה <במסער> אזנו[׃ Manuscript transcription	33:2 A wise man will not hate the law, but the one who acts hypocritically in it is like a ship in a storm.	Different · Hebrew 33:2 — B אזנו ear differs Greek ship; ending partially restored. Classification assesses only the surviving/readable wording, not lost portions.
Hebrew 33:3 · fragmentary A discerning man will understand a matter, and his Torah […] Hebrew witness B · B V Verso איש נבון יבין דבר ]] [[ ותורתו ט ] ° — ֯[ק [– ] Manuscript transcription	33:3 An understanding person will trust the law, and the law is trustworthy for him, like an answer from the sacred tokens.	Different · Hebrew 33:3 — Hebrew ending illegible; Greek trust/oracle not backfilled. Classification assesses only the surviving/readable wording, not lost portions. Inherited Greek note 33:3 Sacred tokens renders δήλων in the oracular expression ἐρώτημα δήλων; no unattested wording of the oracle is supplied.
Hebrew 33:4 · fragmentary [Prepare] speech, and afterward act; establish a resting place, and afterward bring light. Hebrew witness E · E I Recto ]הכין אומ[ר֯ ואחר תעשה׃ ]] [[ ובית מנוח ו֯א֯ חר ת֯ גיה Manuscript transcription	33:4 Prepare your speech, and so you will be heard; bind instruction together and answer.	Different · Hebrew 33:4 — E restored opening; unusual second colon translated provisionally without replacing it by Greek instruction. Classification assesses only the surviving/readable wording, not lost portions.
Hebrew 33:5 · fragmentary [A light wheel] is a fool’s heart, and a turning wheel his thoughts. Hebrew witness E · E I Recto ]גלגל קל[ לב נבל׃ ]] [[ ואופן֯ חוזר מחשבותיו׃ Manuscript transcription	33:5 A fool’s inward parts are a cartwheel, and his deliberation is like a turning axle.	Similar · Hebrew 33:5 — E restored opening. Classification assesses only the surviving/readable wording, not lost portions.
Hebrew 33:6 · fragmentary [Like a ready horse] is a friend who hates; beneath every [friend] he neighs. Hebrew witness E · E I Recto ] [כסוס מוכן [אוהב שונא׃ ]] [[ תחת כל ]אוהב יצהל׃ Manuscript transcription	33:6 A breeding horse is like a mocking friend; he neighs beneath everyone who mounts him.	Different · Hebrew 33:6 — E partially restored. Hebrew friend who hates/every friend differs Greek mocking friend/every rider. Classification assesses only the surviving/readable wording, not lost portions. Inherited Greek note 33:6 The comparison’s sexual and fickle imagery is retained through the actual horse language.
Hebrew 33:7 · fragmentary [Why is one day above] another? For all of it is recurring light [from] the sun. Hebrew witness E · E I Recto ]מה על יו[ם יום כי כלו׃ ]] [[ אור שונה ]מ[על שמש֯ ׃ Manuscript transcription	33:7 Why does one day surpass another when all the light of the year’s days comes from the sun?	Similar · Hebrew 33:7 — E partially restored. Classification assesses only the surviving/readable wording, not lost portions.
Hebrew 33:8 · fragmentary But by the [wisdom] of YHWH they were judged, and among them are appointed times […]. Hebrew witness E · E I Recto ]אבל }}בחכ[מת{{ בחכמת ייי נשפטו ]] [[ ויש מהם מועד°° ׃ [ — ] Manuscript transcription	33:8 By the Lord’s knowledge they were distinguished, and He differentiated seasons and festivals.	Similar · Hebrew 33:8 — E partially restored and damaged. Classification assesses only the surviving/readable wording, not lost portions.
Hebrew 33:9 · fragmentary […] He blessed and sanctified, and some He made numbered days. Hebrew witness E · E I Recto ב֯ רך והקדשו֯ ]] [[ ומהם שם לימי מספר׃ [ — ] Manuscript transcription	33:9 Some He raised high and sanctified, and some He placed among the ordinary numbered days.	Similar · Hebrew 33:9 — Opening lost. Classification assesses only the surviving/readable wording, not lost portions. Inherited Greek note 33:9 Ordinary expresses the contrast with set-apart days; the source says into a number of days.
Hebrew 33:10 · fragmentary […] vessels of clay, and from dust Adam was formed. Hebrew witness E · E I Recto [[ ]] כ֯ לי חמר׃ ומן עפר נוצר אדם׃ Manuscript transcription	33:10 All human beings are from the ground, and Adam was created from earth.	Similar · Hebrew 33:10 — Opening lost. Classification assesses only the surviving/readable wording, not lost portions.
Hebrew 33:11 · fragmentary […] the know[ledge] of YHWH separates them, and He made them dwellers of the ea[rth]. Hebrew witness E · E I Recto ] [ — [דע[ת ייי תבדילם׃ ]] [[ וישם אותם דרי הא]רץ > וי֯ש֯ נ֯ ]ה[ א֯ ת֯ ד֯ רכיהם < [ — ] Manuscript transcription	33:11 In abundant knowledge the Lord distinguished them and differentiated their ways.	Different · Hebrew 33:11 — Main E text; annotation “and changed their ways” is closer to Greek. Classification assesses only the surviving/readable wording, not lost portions.
Hebrew 33:12 · fragmentary […] and some He sanctified and […] He brought them low, and thrust them from their deeds […]. Hebrew witness E · E I Recto מה ]] [[] ו[מהם הקדיש וא°[ — ] [ — ] / ה֯ שפי֯ל֯ ם֯ ]] [[ ודחׄ פם ממעבד]יה[ם֯ ׃ [ — ] Manuscript transcription	33:12 Some He blessed and raised high, some He sanctified and brought near Himself; some He cursed and brought low, and overturned them from their position.	Different · Hebrew 33:12 — Heavily damaged E wording; מעבדיהם deeds rather than Greek position. Classification assesses only the surviving/readable wording, not lost portions. Inherited Greek note 33:12 All favorable and unfavorable actions are retained.
Hebrew 33:13 · fragmentary […] a potter, to grasp as he pleases; […] his Maker, to stand before Him, a portion. Hebrew witness E · E I Recto יוצר ]] [[ לאחוז כרצון׃ [ — ] / ע֯ ו֯שהו ]] [[ להתיצב מפניו֯ חלק׃ [ — ] Manuscript transcription	33:13 Like a potter’s clay in his hand—all its ways are according to his pleasure—so are human beings in the hand of their Maker, for Him to repay them according to His judgment.	Different · Hebrew 33:13 — E very fragmentary; last colon provisional. Greek recompense/judgment not supplied. Classification assesses only the surviving/readable wording, not lost portions. Inherited Greek note 33:13 The potter’s control and divine judgment are both explicit; the comparison is not expanded into an unprinted account of moral causation.
Hebrew 33:14 · fragmentary […] good, and opposite life, death; opposite a good man, a wicked man; and opposite light, da[rkness]. Hebrew witness E · E I Recto ט֯ ו֯ב֯ ]] [[ ונוכח חיים מות׃ / נ֯ ו֯כ֯ ח֯ איש ט֯ ו֯ב֯ רשע ]] [[ ונוכח האור ח֯ ]שך [ Manuscript transcription Additional folio transcriptions: 2	33:14 Good stands opposite evil, and life opposite death; so a sinner stands opposite a godly person.	Different · Hebrew 33:14 — E adds light/darkness pair. Classification assesses only the surviving/readable wording, not lost portions.
Hebrew 33:15 · fragmentary Look at all God’s works: all are two by two, this opposite […]. Hebrew witness E · E I Verso ה֯ ב֯ ט֯ אל כל מע֯ ש֯ ה֯ אל כולם שנים ^ שנים ^ ]] [[ זה לעומת [ — ] Manuscript transcription	33:15 Look in this way at all the Most High’s works: two by two, one opposite the other.	Similar · Hebrew 33:15 — E final loss. Classification assesses only the surviving/readable wording, not lost portions.
Hebrew 33:16 · fragmentary I too kept watch after him, and like one gleaning after […]. Hebrew witness E · E I Verso ֯וג֯ ם֯ א֯ ני אחריו שקדתי׃ ]] [[ וכמו עולל אחר [– ] Manuscript transcription	33:16 I too, the last, kept watch like someone gleaning behind grape-gatherers.	Similar · Hebrew 33:16 — E final loss. Classification assesses only the surviving/readable wording, not lost portions.
Hebrew 33:17 · fragmentary By God’s b[less]ing I too came early, and like a grape-gatherer I filled […]. Hebrew witness E · E I Verso ב]רכ[ת אל גם אני קדמתי ]] [[ וכבוצר מלאתי °[ — ] Manuscript transcription	33:17 By the Lord’s blessing I came in time, and like a grape-gatherer I filled a winepress.	Similar · Hebrew 33:17 — E final object lost; winepress not supplied. Classification assesses only the surviving/readable wording, not lost portions.
Hebrew 33:18 · fragmentary See that I have labored not for myself alone, but for all who seek […]. Hebrew witness E · E I Verso ר֯ א֯ ו כי לא לבדי עמלת֯ י ]] [[ כי לכל מבקשי [– ] Manuscript transcription	33:18 Consider that I have labored not for myself alone, but for all who seek instruction.	Similar · Hebrew 33:18 — E final object lost. Classification assesses only the surviving/readable wording, not lost portions.
Hebrew 33:19 · fragmentary Hear me, rulers of a great people, and rulers of the assembly […]. Hebrew witness E · E I Verso שמעו אלי שרי עם רב ]] [[ ומשלי קהל ה [– ] Manuscript transcription	33:19 Listen to me, dignitaries of the people; give ear, leaders of the assembly.	Similar · Hebrew 33:19 — E final loss. Classification assesses only the surviving/readable wording, not lost portions.
Hebrew 33:20 · fragmentary Son and wife, loved one and friend: do not give them rule during your life. Do not give what is yours to another, only to return and entreat […]. Hebrew witness E · E I Verso בן ואשה אהב ו֯רע ]] [[ אל תמשיל בחייך / אל תתן שלך לאחר׃ ]] [[ לשוב לחלות א]ת [ — Manuscript transcription	33:20 Do not give son or wife, brother or friend authority over you during your life. Do not give your money to another, lest afterward you regret it and beg for it.	Different · Hebrew 33:20 — E loved one versus Greek brother; second line damaged. Classification assesses only the surviving/readable wording, not lost portions.
Hebrew 33:21 · fragmentary While you still live and breath is in you, do not let any […] rule over you. Hebrew witness E · E I Verso עד עודך חי ונשמה בך ]] [[ אל תשלט בך כל °[ — ] Manuscript transcription	33:21 As long as you still live and breath is in you, do not exchange yourself for any flesh.	Similar · Hebrew 33:21 — E final loss. Classification assesses only the surviving/readable wording, not lost portions. Inherited Greek note 33:21 The source’s exchange expression is retained; its sense of surrendering one’s place or independence is contextual.
Hebrew 33:22 · fragmentary For it is better for your sons to entreat your face than for you to look toward the hands of […]. Hebrew witness E · E I Verso כי טוב לחלות֯ ב֯ ניך פניך׃ ]] [[ מהביטך על ידי [ — ] Manuscript transcription	33:22 For it is better that your children ask you than that you look toward your sons’ hands.	Similar · Hebrew 33:22 — E final loss. Classification assesses only the surviving/readable wording, not lost portions.
Hebrew 33:23 · fragmentary In all your deeds be foremost, and put no blemish upon your ho[nor]. Hebrew witness E · E I Verso ]] בכל מעשיׄךׄ ה֯ יה עליון׃ [[ ואל תתן מום בכב֯ ]ודך [ Manuscript transcription	33:23 In all your works be preeminent; do not put a blemish upon your glory.	Similar · Hebrew 33:23 — E final letters restored. Classification assesses only the surviving/readable wording, not lost portions.
Hebrew 33:24 · fragmentary When the numbered fewness of your days is reached, on the day of death bequeath […]. Hebrew witness E · E I Verso בעתׄ מספׄ ר֯ מצער ימיך׃ ]] [[ בׄ יום המות הנח]ל [ — Manuscript transcription	33:24 On the day when your life’s days are completed, at the time of death, distribute your inheritance.	Similar · Hebrew 33:24 — E final object lost. Classification assesses only the surviving/readable wording, not lost portions.
Hebrew 33:25 · fragmentary Fodder, a whip, and a load for a donkey; discipline of labor for a […]. Hebrew witness E · E I Verso מספוא ושוט ומשא לחמור׃ ]] [[ ומרדות מלאכה לע [– ] Manuscript transcription	33:25 Fodder, a rod, and burdens for a donkey; bread, discipline, and work for a household slave.	Different · Hebrew 33:25 — E does not preserve Greek bread; final word damaged. Classification assesses only the surviving/readable wording, not lost portions. Inherited Greek note 33:25 The ancient parallel between animals and enslaved workers is retained as the source’s comparison.
Hebrew 33:26 · fragmentary Make your slave work so that he does not seek ease; if he raises his head, he will be[tray …]. Hebrew witness E · E I Verso העבד֯ עבדך שלא יבקש נ֯ חת ]] [[ ואם נשא ראשו יבג]ד – [ Manuscript transcription	33:26 Make a servant work, and you will find rest; release his hands, and he will seek freedom.	Different · Hebrew 33:26 — Hebrew seeking ease/raising head/rebellion differs Greek master’s rest/slave’s freedom. Classification assesses only the surviving/readable wording, not lost portions. Inherited Greek note 33:26 Servant renders παῖς in the surrounding slavery context; the explicit freedom language is preserved.
Hebrew 33:27 · fragmentary […] a rod supports him; upon an evil slave multiply […]. Hebrew witness E · E I Verso חוטר תומכו ]] [[ על עבד רע הרב֯ ]ה [ — Manuscript transcription	33:27 A yoke and strap will bend a neck, and racks and tortures are for a wrongdoing household slave.	Different · Hebrew 33:27 — E incomplete; Greek yoke, strap, racks, torments not reconstructed. Classification assesses only the surviving/readable wording, not lost portions. Inherited Greek note 33:27 The source’s coercive instruments and torments are explicit, without added implementation details.
Hebrew 33:28 · translated Make your slave work so that he does not rebel. Hebrew witness E · E I Verso העבד עבדך שלא ימרוד Manuscript transcription Hebrew 33:29 · fragmentary For much evil is iniquity […]. Hebrew witness E · E I Verso כי הרבה רעה עו֯]ן – [ [ — ] Manuscript transcription	33:28 Put him to work so that he is not idle, for idleness has taught much evil.	Different · Hebrew 33:28 — E rebellion differs Greek idleness. Different · Hebrew 33:29 — E transcript labels this clause 33:29; by content closest to Greek 33:28b, but “iniquity” and damage prevent a secure complete reading. Classification assesses only the surviving/readable wording, not lost portions.
No Hebrew text is available in the selected manuscript coverage for this unit. This is a source gap, not a classified omission.	33:29 Assign him tasks as befits him, and if he does not obey, make his fetters heavy.	Not classified. No paired Hebrew reading is supplied.
Hebrew 33:30 · fragmentary Do not overdo it against any person; and without judgment […]. Hebrew witness E · E I Verso אל ת֯ ו֯תר על כל אדם׃ ]] [[ ובלא משפט [ — ] Manuscript transcription	33:30 Do not go to excess against any flesh, and do nothing without judgment.	Similar · Hebrew 33:30 — E final clause lost. Classification assesses only the surviving/readable wording, not lost portions. Inherited Greek note 33:30 The restraint is preserved alongside the preceding harsh instructions, without removing either side.
This Hebrew unit spans Greek 33:31, 33:32; repeated here for alignment. Its classification applies to the combined passage. Hebrew 33:31 · fragmentary Your one slave shall be as […], for with […] Your one slave, reckon [him] as a brother; do not be jealous […]. Hebrew witness E · E I Verso ] ֯א֯ ח֯ ד֯ עבדך ]י[הי֯ כ– []] [[ כי ב֯ מ֯ ש֯ ף֯ [ — ] / ֯אחד עבדך כאח חשב֯ ]הו []] [[] א[ל֯ ת֯ ק֯ נ֯ א֯ ב [– ] Manuscript transcription	33:31 If you have a household slave, let him be as yourself, because you acquired him with blood.	Similar · Hebrew 33:31 — Two E formulations, both damaged, align by content with Greek 33:31–32. The comparison applies to the combined Greek units 33:31–32, whose boundaries differ from this Hebrew unit. Classification assesses only the surviving/readable wording, not lost portions. Inherited Greek note 33:31 With blood follows actual ἐν αἵματι; its precise relation to purchase, risk, or life is not settled by an invented narrative.
This Hebrew unit spans Greek 33:31, 33:32; repeated here for alignment. Its classification applies to the combined passage. Hebrew 33:31 · fragmentary Your one slave shall be as […], for with […] Your one slave, reckon [him] as a brother; do not be jealous […]. Hebrew witness E · E I Verso ] ֯א֯ ח֯ ד֯ עבדך ]י[הי֯ כ– []] [[ כי ב֯ מ֯ ש֯ ף֯ [ — ] / ֯אחד עבדך כאח חשב֯ ]הו []] [[] א[ל֯ ת֯ ק֯ נ֯ א֯ ב [– ] Manuscript transcription	33:32 If you have a household slave, treat him as a brother, because you will need him as your own soul.	Similar · Hebrew 33:31 — Two E formulations, both damaged, align by content with Greek 33:31–32. The comparison applies to the combined Greek units 33:31–32, whose boundaries differ from this Hebrew unit. Classification assesses only the surviving/readable wording, not lost portions.
Hebrew 33:32 · fragmentary For if you afflict him, he will leave and be lost; on what ro[ad …]? Hebrew witness E · E I Verso כ֯ י אם עניתו יצא ואבד ]] [[ באיז֯ ה֯ ד֯ ]רך – [ Manuscript transcription	33:33 If you mistreat him and he leaves and runs away, on what road will you look for him?	Similar · Hebrew 33:32 — E Hebrew 33:32 corresponds to Greek 33:33 by content. Classification assesses only the surviving/readable wording, not lost portions.

Source and numbering

Hebrew English is newly translated from the manuscript-specific transcriptions in The Book of Ben Sira portal. Each translated unit identifies its selected witness and folio. This is a selected-witness working edition, not an exhaustive collation of every manuscript or a reconstruction of lost Hebrew. Brackets and fragmentary status identify uncertainty; no Greek text has been back-translated to fill Hebrew gaps.

The Greek-source English and its notes are inherited from the existing Sirach edition. The comparison categories are provisional editorial assessments against that English; this update is not a fresh verification of every Greek reading or its apparatus.

Working translation preserved from the recovered manuscript of 8 September 2026. Declared source: Septuaginta, Rahlfs–Hanhart, 2006, Deutsche Bibelgesellschaft, publisher’s Greek main text. Independent linguistic and critical-apparatus review remains outstanding. Source-access and reception claims in the inherited notes have not been freshly revalidated. Chapter and section headings are editorial.

The translator’s prologue is separate from the 51 chapters. Its eight source units map to publisher labels 1, 1a–1g; main-text 1:1 maps to 1h. Source 5:15 includes material often numbered 6:1, so chapter 6 begins at 6:2. Source label gaps are preserved; no text is invented.