ReverendCreation’s wonder

Sirach — Chapter 42 — Hebrew–Greek comparison

Discernment and the works of the Lord

Saints Translation · V2 · Hebrew–Greek working comparison

Sirach 42 · 25 source units
Hebrew–English · Literal-Smooth	Greek–English · Literal-Smooth	Classification & Notes
This Hebrew unit spans Greek 41:26, 41:27, 42:1; repeated here for alignment. Its classification applies to the combined passage. Hebrew 42:1 · translated For repeating a report you hear and exposing every secret. Then you will be truly modest and find favor in the eyes of all living. But do not be ashamed of these things, and do not show partiality and sin. Hebrew witness B · XI verso, lines 1–18 משנות דבר תשמע ומחסוף כל סוד והיית בוש באמת ומצא חן בעיני כל חי אך על אלה אל תבוש ואל תשא פנים וחטא Manuscript transcription	42:1 Do not be ashamed of these things, and do not show partiality so as to sin:	Different · Hebrew 42:1 — Hebrew opening aligns Greek 41:26–27; exposing a secret differs from the inherited Greek “concealing.” The final sentence aligns Greek 42:1. The comparison applies to the combined Greek units 41:26–27; 42:1, whose boundaries differ from this Hebrew unit.
Hebrew 42:2 · translated Of the law of the Most High and statute, or of a justifier acquitting a wicked person. Hebrew witness B · XI verso, lines 1–18 על תורת עליון וחוק ועל מצדיק להצדיק רשע Manuscript transcription	42:2 of the law of the Most High and His covenant, and of a judgment that acquits the ungodly;	Similar · Hebrew 42:2 — Margin “judgment” gives a smoother parallel to Greek; main Hebrew is retained. Inherited Greek note 42:2 The expression δικαιῶσαι τὸν ἀσεβῆ, “to justify/acquit the ungodly,” was visually confirmed in Swete, p. 731. It can concern giving an otherwise ungodly person a just decision; the verse need not command a knowingly unjust acquittal. “Godly” is not substituted for the printed adjective. [SWETE-SIR]
Hebrew 42:3 · fragmentary Of accounting with a partner and master [and traveler], or of divisions of inheritance and property. Hebrew witness B · XI verso, lines 1–18 על חשבון חובר ואדון ^וארח^ ועל מחלקות נחלה ויש Manuscript transcription	42:3 of an accounting with a partner and fellow travelers, and of giving an inheritance to companions;	Different · Hebrew 42:3 — B’s inserted traveler agrees with Greek fellow travelers; Hebrew also names a master. Classification assesses only the surviving/readable wording, not lost portions. Inherited Greek note 42:3 Λόγος can mean an account or a statement. The surrounding financial and equitable dealings support “accounting.”
Hebrew 42:4 · translated Of the wear of scales and balance, or of the exactness of ephah and stone-weight; of a purchase, whether much or little. Hebrew witness B · XI verso, lines 1–18 ועל שחק מאזנים ופלס ועל תמהות איפה ואבן על מקנה בין רב למעט Manuscript transcription	42:4 of accuracy in scales and weights, and of acquiring much or little;	Similar · Hebrew 42:4 — The first two Hebrew nouns are difficult; Greek summarizes accuracy of weights and measures.
Hebrew 42:5 · fragmentary And of the price of a merchant’s [sa]le. Hebrew witness B · XI verso, lines 1–18 ועל ממחיר [ממ]כר תגר Manuscript transcription	42:5 of profit from merchants’ sales, of much discipline for children, and of making an evil household slave’s side bleed.	Different · Hebrew 42:5 — Only the trading clause appears here; Greek adds disciplinary clauses about children and a slave. Classification assesses only the surviving/readable wording, not lost portions. Inherited Greek note 42:5 The severe disciplinary language is the ancient author’s; the physical injury is not softened or expanded into practical instructions.
Hebrew 42:6 · translated For an evil woman, a seal is wise; where hands are lax, use a key. Hebrew witness B · XI verso, lines 1–18 על אשה רעה חותם חכם ומקום ידים רפות תפתח Manuscript transcription	42:6 With an evil woman, a seal is good; where there are many hands, lock things up.	Similar · Hebrew 42:6 — Hebrew lax hands differs from Greek many hands; תפתח is rendered in the locking context, with uncertain form. Inherited Greek note 42:6 The seal and lock concern safeguarding property in context; no unexpressed object of the seal is specified.
Hebrew 42:7 · translated Where you entrust something, count it by hand; giving and receiving—everything in writing. Hebrew witness B · XI verso, lines 1–18 על מקום תפקד יד תספור ומתת ולקח הכל בכתב Manuscript transcription	42:7 Whatever you hand over, do so by number and weight; every giving and receiving should be in writing.	Similar · Hebrew 42:7 — Greek explicitly adds weight.
Hebrew 42:8 · translated Of disciplining the simple and foolish, and an aged old man who takes counsel in promiscuity. Then you will be truly careful and a modest man before all living. Hebrew witness B · XI verso, lines 1–18 על מוסר פותה וכסיל ושב וישיש ונוטל עצה בזנות והיית זהיר באמת ואיש צנוע לפני כל חי Manuscript transcription	42:8 Do not be ashamed of disciplining the senseless and foolish, or an extremely old man who contends with young people. Then you will be truly instructed and approved before everyone living.	Different · Hebrew 42:8 — Hebrew main closes with promiscuity; Greek has an old man contending with the young. The Hebrew clause is textually difficult. Inherited Greek note 42:8 “Do not be ashamed” resumes the governing expression in verse one. Κρινομένου may mean contending or being judged; the relationship with the young is left as a dispute.
Hebrew 42:9 · fragmentary A daughter is a deceptive hidden treasure to her father; anxiety sepa[rates sleep]. In her youth, lest she sojourn; in her virginity, lest […]. Hebrew witness B · XI verso, lines 1–18 בת לאב מטמנת שקר דאגה תפר[יד נומה] בנעוריה פן תגור ובבתוליה פן[…] Manuscript transcription	42:9 A daughter is a secret cause of sleeplessness to her father, and anxiety about her drives sleep away: in her youth, lest she pass her prime; when married, lest she be hated;	Different · Hebrew 42:9 — Main Hebrew difficult at תגור; Greek has passing her prime and being hated in marriage. Classification assesses only the surviving/readable wording, not lost portions.
Hebrew 42:10 · fragmentary In her virginity, lest she be seduced; and in the house […] in her father’s house, lest […] and in her [husb]and’s house […] be [restrained]. Hebrew witness B · XI verso, lines 1–18 בבתוליה פן תפותה ובבית […] בבית אביה פן […] ובבית א[יש]ה […] תע[צר] Manuscript transcription	42:10 in her virginity, lest she be defiled and become pregnant in her father’s home; while with a husband, lest she transgress; and when married, lest she be barren.	Similar · Hebrew 42:10 — B is badly damaged; the marginal “lest she be barren” is closer to Greek but is not substituted for the main remains. Classification assesses only the surviving/readable wording, not lost portions.
Hebrew 42:11 · fragmentary […] a bad name; talk of the city and assembly of the people; and your being placed […] in the [assem]bly at the gate. Let there be no window in the [p]lace where she lives, nor a house looking out over the surrounding entrance. Hebrew witness B · XI verso, lines 1–18 […] שם סרה דבת עיר וקהלת עם והושבתך […] [בע]דת שער [מ]קום תגור אל יהי אשנב ובית מביט מבוא סביב Manuscript transcription	42:11 Keep a firm watch over a headstrong daughter, lest she make you a delight to enemies, a subject of talk in the city, and an outcast of the people, and put you to shame among a great multitude.	Different · Hebrew 42:11 — Continues on XII recto line 1. Hebrew adds restrictions on a window/view not present in the Greek verse; initial admonition is damaged. Classification assesses only the surviving/readable wording, not lost portions.
Hebrew 42:12 · translated Do not grant beauty to any male, and do not frequent a house of women. Hebrew witness B · XII recto, lines 2–18 לכל זכר אל תתן תאר ובית נשים אל תסתויד Manuscript transcription	42:12 Do not gaze at any person’s beauty, and do not sit among women.	Different · Hebrew 42:12 — The first Hebrew clause is difficult; Greek says not to gaze upon anyone’s beauty. תסתויד is uncertain, here understood of familiar company.
Hebrew 42:13 · translated For from a garment comes a moth, and from a woman, a woman’s wickedness. Hebrew witness B · XII recto, lines 2–18 כי מבגד יצא עש ומאשה רעת אשה Manuscript transcription	42:13 For from clothes comes a moth, and from a woman comes a woman’s wickedness.	Similar · Hebrew 42:13 — Same paired analogy.
Hebrew 42:14 · translated Better the evil of a man than a woman who does good; and a shameful house brings forth a woman. Hebrew witness B · XII recto, lines 2–18 מטוב רוע איש מטיב אשה ובית מחרפת תביע אשה Manuscript transcription	42:14 A man’s wickedness is better than a woman who does good—and a woman who brings shame leads to reproach.	Different · Hebrew 42:14 — The main second clause is corrupt; margin reads “a disgraceful daughter brings forth disgrace,” closer to Greek. The ancient evaluative claim is retained. Inherited Greek note 42:14 The comparison is harsh and the final clause compressed. Both are retained as the author’s words; “a woman who does good” directly renders ἀγαθοποιὸς γυνή without reversing its sense.
Hebrew 42:15 · fragmentary Let me now recall God’s works; what I have seen I will recount. In God’s word is His wi[l]l, and the working of His will is His teaching. Hebrew witness B · XII recto, lines 2–18 אזכר נא מעשי אל וזה חזיתי ואספרה באומר אלהים רצ[ו]נו ופועל רצונו לקחו Manuscript transcription	42:15 I will now remember the Lord’s works and recount what I have seen. By the Lord’s words are His works.	Different · Hebrew 42:15 — Margin “His works” replaces “His will”; Greek ends with the works effected by His words. Classification assesses only the surviving/readable wording, not lost portions.
Hebrew 42:16 · translated The rising sun is revealed over everything, and YHWH’s glory rests upon all His works. Hebrew witness B · XII recto, lines 2–18 שמש זורחת על כל נגלתה וכבוד ייי על כל מעשיו Manuscript transcription	42:16 The shining sun has looked upon everything, and His work is full of the Lord’s glory.	Similar · Hebrew 42:16 — Same universal sun/glory imagery with differing syntax. Inherited Greek note 42:16 The final “His” is understood of the Lord; the Greek could be read with the sun as the immediate referent. The ambiguity is not evidence of a textual variant.
Hebrew 42:17 · translated God’s holy ones are not able to recount YHWH’s wonders. God strengthens His hosts to stand firm before His glory. Hebrew witness B · XII recto, lines 2–18 לא הספיקו קדושי אל לספר נפלאות ייי אימץ אלהים צבאיו להתחזק לפני כבודו Manuscript transcription	42:17 He has not enabled the Lord’s holy ones to recount all His wonders, which the Lord Almighty established so that everything might stand firm in His glory.	Similar · Hebrew 42:17 — Hebrew explicitly names His hosts; Greek gives the purpose more broadly. Inherited Greek note 42:17 “Holy ones” is not expanded into an identification with either angels or human saints; the sentence exceeds their ability to recount the wonders.
Hebrew 42:18 · translated He searches the abyss and the heart, and considers all their hidden workings. Hebrew witness B · XII recto, lines 2–18 תהום ולב חקר ובכל מערומיהם יתבונן Manuscript transcription	42:18 He has traced out the abyss and the heart and considered their intricate workings. For the Most High knows all knowledge and has looked upon the sign of the age,	Similar · Hebrew 42:18 — Hebrew shorter than Greek, which adds knowledge and the sign of the age. Inherited Greek note 42:18 Πανουργεύματα can denote shrewd or intricate operations; here the abyss and heart are its antecedents. “The sign of the age” retains the source’s singular expression.
Hebrew 42:19 · translated He declares the changes that occur and reveals the searching-out of hidden things. Hebrew witness B · XII recto, lines 2–18 מחוה חליפות נהיות ומגלה חקר נסתרות Manuscript transcription	42:19 announcing what has passed and what will be, and uncovering the traces of hidden things.	Similar · Hebrew 42:19 — Greek expressly contrasts past and future.
Hebrew 42:20 · fragmentary N[o] understanding is [m]issing from Him; no word has passed Him by. Hebrew witness B · XII recto, lines 2–18 ל[א נ]עדר ממנו כל שכל ולא חלפו כל דבר Manuscript transcription	42:20 No thought has escaped Him; not even one word has been hidden from Him.	Similar · Hebrew 42:20 — Both affirm exhaustive knowledge. Classification assesses only the surviving/readable wording, not lost portions.
Hebrew 42:21 · fragmentary He established the [mi]ght of His wisdom; He is one from eternity. [No]thing is [ad]ded [and] nothing taken away; He needs no one with understanding. Hebrew witness B · XII recto, lines 2–18 [ג]בור[ת] חכמתו תכן אחד הוא מעולם ל[א נא]סף [ו]לא נאצל ולא צריך לכל מבין Manuscript transcription	42:21 He has set in order the great things of His wisdom, as He exists before the age and into the age. Nothing has been added or diminished, and He has had no need of any counselor.	Similar · Hebrew 42:21 — Hebrew explicitly “one”; Greek expresses existence before and into the age. Classification assesses only the surviving/readable wording, not lost portions. Inherited Greek note 42:21 The sentence’s shifts between God and His ordered works remain compressed in Greek. “Nothing” supplies the subject of the two impersonal passives; no change in God’s nature is inferred from those passives.
No Hebrew text is available in the selected manuscript coverage for this unit. This is a source gap, not a classified omission.	42:22 How desirable all His works are! They are there to behold like a spark.	Not classified. No paired Hebrew reading is supplied. Inherited Greek note 42:22 The spark comparison is terse; the source does not expressly say whether it concerns brightness or the small glimpse available to the observer.
Hebrew 42:23 · fragmentary He […] forever. [Margin: “For every need, everything obeys.”] Hebrew witness B · XII recto, lines 2–18 הוא […] לעד <לכל צרוך הכל נשמע> Manuscript transcription	42:23 All these live and remain forever for every need, and all obey.	Similar · Hebrew 42:23 — Main line is damaged; the fuller marginal clause parallels Greek. Classification assesses only the surviving/readable wording, not lost portions.
Hebrew 42:24 · translated All are different, one from another, and He made none of them worthless. Hebrew witness B · XII verso, lines 1–18 כלם שונים זה מזה ולא עשה מהם שי Manuscript transcription	42:24 All things are paired, one opposite another, and He has made nothing deficient.	Different · Hebrew 42:24 — Hebrew שונים can mean different or paired; the final שי is uncertain, here provisionally understood as worthless. Greek expressly paired and deficient.
Hebrew 42:25 · fragmentary One exchanges its goodness with [another]; who is [satisfied] to […]? [Margin: “One exchanges good with another; who is satisfied with gazing on beauty?”] Hebrew witness B · XII recto, lines 2–18 זה על [זה] חלף טובו ומי ישב[ע] ל[…] <זה על זה חלף טוב ומי ישבע להביט תואר> Manuscript transcription	42:25 One has confirmed the good things of another. Who will be filled with beholding His glory?	Similar · Hebrew 42:25 — Main text damaged; complete marginal reading lies on XII verso line 1. Greek has confirming goodness and beholding glory. 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.