Context No. 3101 of 4322 · Sirach

Sirach 33:17-33: in context

17By the Lord’s blessing I arrived before them, and filled my winepress like one who gathers grapes. 18Consider that I labored not for myself alone, but for all those who seek instruction. 19Hear me, you great men of the people, and listen with your ears, you rulers of the congregation. 20To son and wife, to brother and friend, don’t give power over yourself while you live, and don’t give your goods to another, lest you regret it and must ask for them. 21While you still live and breath is in you, don’t give yourself over to anybody. 22For it is better that your children should ask from you than that you should look to the hand of your children. 23Excel in all your works. Don’t bring a stain on your honor. 24In the day that you end the days of your life, in the time of death, distribute your inheritance. 25Fodder, a stick, and burdens are for a donkey. Bread, discipline, and work are for a servant. 26Set your slave to work, and you will find rest. Leave his hands idle, and he will seek liberty. 27Yoke and whip will bow the neck. For an evil slave there are racks and tortures. 28Send him to labor, that he not be idle, for idleness teaches much mischief. 29Set him to work, as is fit for him. If he doesn’t obey, make his fetters heavy. 30Don’t be excessive toward any. Do nothing unjust. 31If you have a slave, treat him like yourself, because you have bought him with blood. 32If you have a slave, treat him like yourself. For like your own soul, you will need him. If you treat him ill, and he departs and runs away, 33which way will you go to seek him?

Ben Sira advises keeping your independence in old age, not handing over your property or authority while you still live, and excelling in your work without staining your honor. Then he turns to servants, and much of what he says reflects the harsh assumptions of his ancient world, which we do not endorse. Yet even within that world he reaches toward a striking limit.

Do not be excessive toward anyone, he says; do nothing unjust. And, remarkably, if you have a servant, treat him like yourself. Amid a brutal institution, a seed of a deeper truth is present here, that the person in your power is a fellow human being, to be treated as you yourself would want to be treated. The New Testament will carry this much further, toward Paul's word that in Christ there is neither slave nor free. But even here, the call goes out against cruelty and injustice toward anyone under one's authority.

Do I treat those under my authority or in my power with justice and dignity, remembering they are fellow human beings to be treated as I would want to be?

Sources

Sirach 33:31: "If you have a slave, treat him like yourself, because you have bought him with blood."
Leviticus 19:13: "You shall not oppress your neighbor, nor rob him."
Colossians 4:1: "Masters, give to your servants that which is just and equal, knowing that you also have a Master in heaven."