Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary, 1859 edition.

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ECCLESIASTICUS - Chapter 35

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Ecclesiasticus xxxv.

Notes & Commentary:

Ver. 1. Offerings. He cannot otherwise observe the law. (Haydock) --- Virtue is the most acceptable sacrifice. (Calmet) --- The sacrifices of penance, of justice, and of praise, are to be preferred before all external ones. (Worthington)

Ver. 2. And to. Greek, (4.) "He," &c. (Haydock) --- The peace-offering and that for sin, as well as the oblation of fine flour and of praise, (which is the most perfect of all) are noticed. (Calmet) --- External sacrifice must not be neglected. (Worthington)

Ver. 4. Sacrifice. Greek adds, "of praise." (Haydock) --- This was the true spirit of the law. (Calmet)

Ver. 6. Lord. The poor, who present a virtuous heart, are more acceptable than the rich, who are buried in sin, though the latter may offer the most splendid sacrifices. (Haydock) --- God requires that all should do according to their abilities. If they have nothing, they must fulfill the commandments, and he will be satisfied. Some have inferred from Exodus xxiii. 16., that the poor were rejected. But the meaning of the law is here explained. (Calmet)

Ver. 10. Heart. Literally, "mind." Greek, "eye," (Haydock) free from avarice, 2 Corinthians ix. 7.

Ver. 11. Sanctify: "set apart" for the use of the ministers, and of the temple. (Calmet) --- God will reward thee much more. (Worthington)

Ver. 14. Wicked; defective, Leviticus xxii. 21., and Malachias i. 7. Greek, "curtailed, or ill-acquired," (Calmet) or "do not bribe" God; (dorokopei. Grotius) as the word is used [in] 2 Machabees. God will not regard our gifts, to let our offences escape punishment, Isaias xlii. 1. (Calmet)

Ver. 19. For, &c., is not in Greek. God will protect the defenceless. (Haydock)

Ver. 21. He, or "it." (Calmet) --- Prayer is personified, and presents itself before God.

Ver. 22. Them, the Gentiles, &c., ver. 23. Greek, "will not delay to punish them, till he crush the loins of the unmerciful. And," &c. (Haydock)

Ver. 23. Unjust Egyptians, Syrians, and Greeks, who then oppressed the Jews.

Ver. 24. Adam, who was not spared. (Calmet) --- Greek, "of men and their desires." (Haydock) --- Our version seems to be taken from the Hebrew. (Du Hamel) --- Adam sometimes denotes any man. (Menochius)

Ver. 26. The. Greek, "mercy is beautiful," &c., Psalm ix. 10. (Haydock)


Bible Text & Cross-references:

What sacrifices are pleasing to God.

1 He that keepeth the law, multiplieth offerings.

2 *It is a wholesome sacrifice to take heed to the commandments, and to depart from all iniquity.

3 And to depart from injustice, is to offer a propitiatory sacrifice for injustices, and a begging of pardon for sins.

4 He shall return thanks that offereth fine flour: and he that doth mercy offereth sacrifice.

5 *To depart from iniquity, is that which pleaseth the Lord, and to depart from injustice, is an entreaty for sins.

6 *Thou shalt not appear empty in the sight of the Lord.

7 For all these things are to be done, because of the commandment of God.

8 The oblation of the just maketh the altar fat, and is an odour of sweetness in the sight of the Most High.

9 The sacrifice of the just is acceptable, and the Lord will not forget the memorial thereof.

10 Give glory to God with a good heart: and diminish not the first-fruits of thy hands.

11 *In every gift shew a cheerful countenance, and sanctify thy tithes with joy.

12 Give to the Most High according to what he hath given to thee, and with a good eye do according to the ability of thy hands:

13 For the Lord maketh recompense, and will give thee seven times as much.

14 *Do not offer wicked gifts, for such he will not receive.

15 And look not upon an unjust sacrifice, for the Lord is judge, *and there is not with him respect of person.

16 The Lord will not accept any person against a poor man, and he will hear the prayer of him that is wronged.

17 He will not despise the prayers of the fatherless: nor the widow, when she poureth out her complaint.

18 Do not the widow's tears run down the cheek, and her cry against him that causeth them to fall?

19 For from the cheek they go up even to heaven, and the Lord that heareth will not be delighted with them.

20 He that adoreth God with joy, shall be accepted, and his prayer shall approach even to the clouds.

21 The prayer of him that humbleth himself shall pierce the clouds: and till it come nigh he will not be comforted: and he will not depart till the Most High behold.

22 And the Lord will not be slack, but will judge for the just, and will do judgment: and the Almighty will not have patience with them, that he may crush their back:

23 And he will repay vengeance to the Gentiles, till he have taken away the multitude of the proud, and broken the sceptres of the unjust,

24 Till he have rendered to men according to their deeds: and according to the works of Adam, and according to his presumption.

25 Till he have judged the cause of his people, and he shall delight the just with his mercy.

26 The mercy of God is beautiful in the time of affliction, as a cloud of rain in the time of drought.

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*

2: 1 Kings xv. 22.

5: Jeremias vii. 3. and xxvi. 13.

6: Exodus xxiii. 15. and xxxiv. 20.; Deuteronomy xvi. 16.

11: 2 Corinthians ix. 7.; Tobias iv. 9.

14: Leviticus xxii. 21.; Deuteronomy xv. 21.

15: Deuteronomy x. 17.; 2 Paralipomenon xix. 7.; Job xxxiv. 19.; Wisdom vi. 8.; Romans ii. 11.; Galatians ii. 6.; Colossians iii. 25.; Acts x. 34.; 1 Peter i. 17.