Sirach 26:28 - For two things my heart is grieved; And for the third anger comes upon me: A man of war that suffers for poverty; And men of understanding that are counted as refuse: One that turns back from righteousness to sin; The Lord will prepare him for the sword.

Generated Verse: Sirach 26:28

What does "Sirach 26:28" mean?


This verse from Sirach 26:28 expresses sorrow and anger at three specific situations. Let's break it down:

"For two things my heart is grieved; And for the third anger comes upon me:" This sets the stage. The speaker is deeply saddened by two things, and a third elicits anger. It highlights an escalation of negative emotions.

"A man of war that suffers for poverty;" The first source of grief is a capable warrior, a person of strength and likely service to the community, who is nonetheless impoverished. This is seen as unjust and lamentable. They have skills that should provide for them, but society has failed to protect them.

"And men of understanding that are counted as refuse:" The second cause of grief is wise and intelligent individuals being treated as worthless or insignificant. This suggests a societal failure to recognize and value wisdom. People with valuable insights are being marginalized or ignored. This could also be interpreted as people with understanding being ignored because they're old.

"One that turns back from righteousness to sin; The Lord will prepare him for the sword." This is the third situation, which provokes anger. It refers to someone who abandons a righteous path for a life of sin. The consequence is stated plainly: "The Lord will prepare him for the sword." This is a stark warning of divine judgment and retribution. It suggests that choosing to turn away from what is good towards evil has severe consequences.

In essence, the verse expresses distress over:

1. Undeserved hardship: A competent warrior suffering in poverty.
2. Ignored wisdom: Intelligent people being disregarded.
3. Betrayal of righteousness: Someone abandoning goodness for sin, which will be punished.

The verse underscores the importance of valuing strength and wisdom, and highlights the consequences of moral corruption. The phrase "The Lord will prepare him for the sword" is a strong metaphor for punishment and judgment. It's a vivid image of divine justice awaiting those who choose wickedness over righteousness.