Chapter Forty-Six

The glorification of the Lord’s providence in humanity through Joshua, Caleb, the pious judges and the prophet Samuel.

Sirach 46:1. Mighty in warfare was Joshua son of Nun, and was the successor of Moses in the prophets. Sirach 46:2. He was great, worthy of his name, in the salvation of the chosen of God, when he fought against the enemies that rose up, so as to put Israel into his inheritance. 2. Worthy of his name, he was great in the salvation of the chosen of God. The name “Joshua” means — “savior”. When he fought against the enemies that rose up, that is, he destroyed the heathen population of Canaan. He put Israel into the inheritance of the promised land.

Sirach 46:3. How he was glorified when he raised his hands and stretched forth his sword against the cities! Sirach 46:4. Who stood before him in such a way? For he fought the wars of the Lord. Sirach 46:5. Was not the sun held back by his hand, and one day made as though two? Sirach 46:6. He called upon the Most High Lord, when enemies pressed in upon him from all sides, and the great Lord heard him: Sirach 46:7. with stones of hail of mighty power he cast them down upon the warlike nation and destroyed his adversaries at the descent of the hill, Sirach 46:8. so that the nations might know his equipment, that he was fighting in the sight of the Lord, and he was following the Almighty. 3–8. Cf. Josh 6-12

Sirach 46:9. And in the days of Moses he showed favor, he and Caleb, son of Jephunneh, — in that they stood up against the adversaries, held back the people from sin and stilled the evil murmuring. Sirach 46:10. And they alone, out of six hundred thousand who were traveling, were saved, so that they might bring the people into the inheritance — into the land flowing with milk and honey. 9–10. Cf. Num 14:1-9.

Sirach 46:11. And the Lord gave Caleb strength, which remained in him into old age, to go up to the heights of the land, and his seed obtained the inheritance, Sirach 46:12. so that all the sons of Israel might see that it is good to follow the Lord. 11–12. Cf. Josh 14:6-15.

Sirach 46:13. Also the judges, each one by his name, whose heart did not go astray and who did not turn away from the Lord, — may their memory be in blessings! Sirach 46:14. May their bones flourish from their place, 14. Explained in verse 15.

Sirach 46:15. and may their name pass on to their sons in glory of them! Sirach 46:16. Beloved of the Lord his God, Samuel, the prophet of the Lord, established the kingdom and anointed kings for his people; 16. Cf. 1 Sam 8-10:1.

Sirach 46:17. he judged the people by the law of the Lord, and the Lord regarded Jacob; Sirach 46:18. by his faith he was a true prophet, and in his words was found the reliability of a vision. Sirach 46:19. He called upon the Almighty Lord, when his enemies pressed in upon him from all sides, and offered in sacrifice a young lamb, — Sirach 46:20. and the Lord thundered from heaven and made his voice heard with mighty sound, Sirach 46:21. and destroyed the rulers of the Tyrians and all the princes of the Philistines. 19–21. Cf. 1 Sam 7.

Sirach 46:22. Before the time of his eternal rest he testified before the Lord and his anointed one: “I have not taken anyone’s possessions, nor even a shoe,” and no one accused him. 22. Cf. 1 Sam 12:1-5.

Sirach 46:23. After his death he prophesied, and foretold the king his death, and raised his voice from the earth in prophecy, to blot out the wickedness of the people. 23. Cf. 1 Sam 28.