Hi! I would like to ask what is the verse of this quote from the Bible and from what book, if not who's the author. I think this is a very helpful quote when it comes to preventing sins of the tongue. I found this from an old Cathecism Book entitled "My Catholic Faith - A Manual of Religion Book II, What to Do: The Commandments of God, of the Church" 1961 Edition by Rev. Louis LaRavoire Morrow. It says there:

"Hast thou heard a word against thy neighbor? Let it die with thee." Ecclus. 19:10

I don't know what 'Ecclus' mean, I thought at first that it meant to be Ecclesiastes but couldn't find it on that book of the Bible. I'll be very glad if you could tell me. Thanks and God bless!

-- Daniel James Cruz (djladerasc@yahoo.ie), February 24, 2003

Answers

Yes, it's a verse from Ecclesiasticus, also called Sirach, or The Wisdom of Jesus Son of Sirach.

It's in the Catholic Bible but not most Protestant Bibles. It's a long story. ;^)

-- Origen (origenmoscow@yahoo.com), February 24, 2003.

TWO DIFFERENT BOOKS: ECCLESIASTES AND ECCLESIASTICUS

There is a problem in that there are two Biblical books (from a Roman Catholic viewpoint) with very similar names.

There is a book called Ecclesiastes (sometimes known as Koheleth or Qoheleth) which is in the Roman Catholic Bible, the Protestant Bible, and the Jewish TANAK (as one of the Writings or Kethubim). This is traditionally attributed to Solomon, King David's son.

There is another book called Ecclesiasticus (sometimes called Sirach or Ben Sira) which Roman Catholics also include in our Bible. It sometimes called a Deuterocanonical book, which means it is for us just as "biblical" as any other book, but not recognized as such by either Protestants or Jews. This book was written in Hebrew between 200 and 175 BCE and translated into Greek after 132 BCE by the author's grandson according to notes in a Catholic Bible (NAB). Since the last century some copies in Hebrew have been found, including one at Masada.

The close similarity in names, differing only in the last few letters, is a common source of confusion. Therefore, I personally prefer to use Qoheleth and Sirach to avoid it.

-- Edward Pothier (EdwardPothier@aol.com), February 24, 2003.

I decided to check the verse in question, since previous answers dealt only with the general book name problem.

In the old Catholic Douay-Rheims Catholic Bible Ecclesiasticus 19:10 reads "Hast thou heard a word against thy neighbor? let it die within thee, trusting that it will not burst thee."

In the RSV-CE (Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition) Sirach 19:10 reads "Have you heard a word? Let it die with you. Be brave! It will not make you burst!"

In the NAB (New American Bible)Sirach 19:9 [verse numbering differs from others] reads "Let anything you hear die within you; be assured it will not make you burst."

-- Edward Pothier (EdwardPothier@aol.com), February 24, 2003.

Wherever it came from, it rings true, doesn't it? If you've ever tried to keep from passing along a really juicy piece of gossip, you KNOW the feeling - that you'll burst if you don't tell SOMEONE! :-)

-- Christine L. :-) (christine_lehman@hotmail.com), February 28, 2003.

I want to know the passage of the verse "a Rich offering according to your means" Please tell me whether it is from the book of Sirach. Tell me the exact passage. It could be anywhere in the Bible

Thank You

Shelley

-- Shelley Cornelius Phillips (shelley_phillips@lycos.com), December 08, 2003.

The verse " A rich offering according to your means " where is it? in the bible. Is it in the book of Sirach?

Thank You, Shelley

-- Shelley Cornelius Phillips (shelley_phillips@lycos.com), December 08, 2003.

Sirach Chapter 38

11 "Offer your sweet-smelling oblation and petition, a rich offering according to your means. "

-- Bill Nelson (bnelson45@hotmail.com), December 09, 2003.

Shelley, the quotation you gave is similar to what is found here (according to the Revised Standard Version of the Bible):

Sirach 14:11 -- My son, treat yourself well, according to your means, and present worthy offerings to the Lord.

-- (jfgecik@hotmail.com), December 09, 2003.

Bill, we posted simultaneously. I wasn't trying to hint that your verse was wrong! In which translation/version did you find that verse?
John

-- (jfgecik@hotmail.com), December 09, 2003.

Never mind, Bill. I see it in the New American Bible. Very good!

The RSV has this for Sirach 38:11
"Offer a sweet-smelling sacrifice, and a memorial portion of fine flour, and pour oil on your offering, as much as you can afford."

-- (jfgecik@hotmail.com), December 09, 2003.

Sorry, should have posted which translation. Would have saved you the task of looking for it.

In Christ, Bill

-- Bill Nelson (bnelson45@hotmail.com), December 11, 2003.