Sirach 13:6 - Hath he had need of you? then he will deceive you, And smile upon you, and give you hope: He will speak you fair, and say, What need you?

Generated Verse: Sirach 13:6

What does "Sirach 13:6" mean?


This verse from Sirach 13:6 is a warning about trusting someone who suddenly seems to need your help or be overly friendly. It suggests that such a person might be motivated by self-interest and that their outward charm is a deceptive tactic. Let's break down the verse line by line:

"Hath he had need of you? then he will deceive you": This is the core of the warning. If someone who previously didn't rely on you suddenly needs something from you (money, help, influence, etc.), be wary. Their newfound need is a red flag, suggesting they may be manipulating you.

"And smile upon you, and give you hope": The deceiver will likely try to gain your trust by being pleasant and offering you something enticing. They might smile, compliment you, and make promises (give you hope) that seem too good to be true. They are building a false sense of security and optimism to lower your defenses.

"He will speak you fair, and say, What need you?": "Speak you fair" means they will flatter you, say flattering or complimentary things, and generally be very agreeable. "What need you?" could mean a couple of things:

Offering to reciprocate: They might pretend to be concerned about your needs and offer to help you in return, making the arrangement seem mutually beneficial. This is often a false pretense.
Dismissing your concerns: Alternatively, they might try to downplay your own needs or reservations. They might say "What need you worry?" or "What need you be concerned?" to distract you from the risks involved.

In essence, the verse warns against being naive and trusting someone who suddenly becomes overly friendly and needy, especially if they offer promises or flattery. It suggests that their motives are likely not genuine, and they may be trying to take advantage of you.

Think of it like this: A rich person who has always been self-sufficient suddenly asks you, a person of modest means, for a loan. They are excessively friendly and promise you great returns. This verse would suggest that you should be skeptical of their motives and consider the possibility of being deceived.

The overall message of Sirach 13 is about the dangers of associating with people of unequal status, particularly those who are powerful and rich. It highlights the potential for exploitation and the importance of being cautious in such relationships.