Sirach 5:14 - Be not called a whisperer; And lie not in wait with your tongue: For upon the thief there is shame, And an evil condemnation upon him that has a double tongue.
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What does "Sirach 5:14" mean?
Sirach 5:14, "Be not called a whisperer; And lie not in wait with your tongue: For upon the thief there is shame, And an evil condemnation upon him that has a double tongue," advises against gossip and deceitful speech. Let's break it down:
"Be not called a whisperer": This warns against spreading rumors and secrets behind people's backs. "Whisperer" refers to someone who engages in gossip, backbiting, and sharing confidential information to create discord or damage someone's reputation.
"And lie not in wait with your tongue": This cautions against plotting or planning to use your words to harm or deceive others. "Lying in wait" implies a calculated and malicious intent to ambush someone with hurtful or false statements.
"For upon the thief there is shame": This draws a parallel between stealing physical property and stealing someone's reputation or trust through deceitful speech. Just as a thief experiences shame when caught, so too should those who engage in dishonest communication.
"And an evil condemnation upon him that has a double tongue": This emphasizes the severe judgment that awaits those who are two-faced or speak with duplicity. A "double tongue" signifies hypocrisy, insincerity, and the ability to say one thing to one person and something completely different to another. The "evil condemnation" suggests that such behavior is morally reprehensible and carries serious consequences.
In essence, the verse promotes honest, straightforward, and kind communication. It condemns gossip, backstabbing, and deceitful speech, highlighting the shame and negative consequences that result from such behavior. The comparison to theft underscores the seriousness of damaging someone's reputation or trust through words.
Sirach 5:14 - Be not called a whisperer; And lie not in wait with your tongue: For upon the thief there is shame, And an evil condemnation upon him that has a double tongue.
What does "Sirach 5:14" mean?
Sirach 5:14, "Be not called a whisperer; And lie not in wait with your tongue: For upon the thief there is shame, And an evil condemnation upon him that has a double tongue," advises against gossip and deceitful speech. Let's break it down:
"Be not called a whisperer": This warns against spreading rumors and secrets behind people's backs. "Whisperer" refers to someone who engages in gossip, backbiting, and sharing confidential information to create discord or damage someone's reputation.
"And lie not in wait with your tongue": This cautions against plotting or planning to use your words to harm or deceive others. "Lying in wait" implies a calculated and malicious intent to ambush someone with hurtful or false statements.
"For upon the thief there is shame": This draws a parallel between stealing physical property and stealing someone's reputation or trust through deceitful speech. Just as a thief experiences shame when caught, so too should those who engage in dishonest communication.
"And an evil condemnation upon him that has a double tongue": This emphasizes the severe judgment that awaits those who are two-faced or speak with duplicity. A "double tongue" signifies hypocrisy, insincerity, and the ability to say one thing to one person and something completely different to another. The "evil condemnation" suggests that such behavior is morally reprehensible and carries serious consequences.
In essence, the verse promotes honest, straightforward, and kind communication. It condemns gossip, backstabbing, and deceitful speech, highlighting the shame and negative consequences that result from such behavior. The comparison to theft underscores the seriousness of damaging someone's reputation or trust through words.