Sirach 13:5 - If you have substance, he will live with you; And he will make you bare, and will not be sorry.
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What does "Sirach 13:5" mean?
Sirach 13:5 is a challenging verse to interpret, and scholars offer varying explanations. Here's a breakdown of possible meanings, considering the context and traditional interpretations:
The Verse:
> "If you have substance, he will live with you; And he will make you bare, and will not be sorry." (Sirach 13:5, NRSV)
Key Terms and Concepts:
"Substance" (Wealth/Possessions): The verse is talking about someone who possesses wealth, material goods, or a certain social status.
"He" (The Rich/Powerful Person): This refers to the wealthy or powerful person the verse warns about in the surrounding chapters. Sirach cautions against associating too closely with the wealthy and powerful, as their motives are often self-serving.
"Live with you" (Associated/Form Relationships with You): The wealthy person will associate with you because you have something they want (wealth, influence, connections, etc.). They'll appear friendly and supportive.
"Make you bare" (Exploit/Impoverish/Expose): This is the crux of the verse. It means the wealthy person will ultimately exploit you, strip you of your resources, or expose your weaknesses. This can happen through financial manipulation, using your connections for their benefit without reciprocity, or revealing your secrets to others.
"Will not be sorry" (No Remorse/No Regret): The wealthy person will not feel any guilt or remorse for exploiting you. They are likely driven by their own self-interest and see you as simply a means to an end.
Possible Interpretations:
1. Exploitation of Wealth: The most common interpretation is that the rich will befriend you for your wealth, and then eventually take it from you without any guilt. It's a warning about the dangers of associating with the wealthy solely for financial gain.
2. Exposure of Weakness: Some interpret "make you bare" as meaning to expose your vulnerabilities or flaws. The wealthy person might become close to you, learn your secrets, and then use that information against you, without any remorse.
3. Emotional Stripping: "Make you bare" could also refer to emotional manipulation. The wealthy person might become emotionally close, then exploit your vulnerabilities for their own advantage, leaving you emotionally drained and exposed, with no apology.
Context in Sirach 13:
Sirach 13 is a chapter full of warnings about associating with the powerful and wealthy. It emphasizes the difference in how the rich and the poor are treated, and how the wealthy often exploit the less fortunate. This verse fits into that broader theme. Other verses in the chapter illustrate the dangers of relying on the rich:
"When a rich man speaks, all are silent, and what he says they extol to the clouds. When a poor man speaks, people say, 'Who is this?' And if he stumbles, they overthrow him." (Sirach 13:23)
In Summary:
Sirach 13:5 is a warning against the dangers of associating with the wealthy and powerful based on material gain. It suggests that if you have something they want, they will befriend you only to eventually exploit you, leaving you stripped of your resources, exposed, or emotionally drained, without any sense of remorse. It emphasizes the importance of choosing friends and associates wisely, based on character rather than material wealth or status.
Sirach 13:5 - If you have substance, he will live with you; And he will make you bare, and will not be sorry.
What does "Sirach 13:5" mean?
Sirach 13:5 is a challenging verse to interpret, and scholars offer varying explanations. Here's a breakdown of possible meanings, considering the context and traditional interpretations:
The Verse:
> "If you have substance, he will live with you; And he will make you bare, and will not be sorry." (Sirach 13:5, NRSV)
Key Terms and Concepts:
"Substance" (Wealth/Possessions): The verse is talking about someone who possesses wealth, material goods, or a certain social status.
"He" (The Rich/Powerful Person): This refers to the wealthy or powerful person the verse warns about in the surrounding chapters. Sirach cautions against associating too closely with the wealthy and powerful, as their motives are often self-serving.
"Live with you" (Associated/Form Relationships with You): The wealthy person will associate with you because you have something they want (wealth, influence, connections, etc.). They'll appear friendly and supportive.
"Make you bare" (Exploit/Impoverish/Expose): This is the crux of the verse. It means the wealthy person will ultimately exploit you, strip you of your resources, or expose your weaknesses. This can happen through financial manipulation, using your connections for their benefit without reciprocity, or revealing your secrets to others.
"Will not be sorry" (No Remorse/No Regret): The wealthy person will not feel any guilt or remorse for exploiting you. They are likely driven by their own self-interest and see you as simply a means to an end.
Possible Interpretations:
1. Exploitation of Wealth: The most common interpretation is that the rich will befriend you for your wealth, and then eventually take it from you without any guilt. It's a warning about the dangers of associating with the wealthy solely for financial gain.
2. Exposure of Weakness: Some interpret "make you bare" as meaning to expose your vulnerabilities or flaws. The wealthy person might become close to you, learn your secrets, and then use that information against you, without any remorse.
3. Emotional Stripping: "Make you bare" could also refer to emotional manipulation. The wealthy person might become emotionally close, then exploit your vulnerabilities for their own advantage, leaving you emotionally drained and exposed, with no apology.
Context in Sirach 13:
Sirach 13 is a chapter full of warnings about associating with the powerful and wealthy. It emphasizes the difference in how the rich and the poor are treated, and how the wealthy often exploit the less fortunate. This verse fits into that broader theme. Other verses in the chapter illustrate the dangers of relying on the rich:
"When a rich man speaks, all are silent, and what he says they extol to the clouds. When a poor man speaks, people say, 'Who is this?' And if he stumbles, they overthrow him." (Sirach 13:23)
In Summary:
Sirach 13:5 is a warning against the dangers of associating with the wealthy and powerful based on material gain. It suggests that if you have something they want, they will befriend you only to eventually exploit you, leaving you stripped of your resources, exposed, or emotionally drained, without any sense of remorse. It emphasizes the importance of choosing friends and associates wisely, based on character rather than material wealth or status.