The interpretation timeline

Sir 30:24

How this passage has been read — the sources, oldest to newest.

From the early Church Fathers to now.

Sir 30:24 · Douay-Rheims

“Have pity on thy own soul, pleasing God, and contain thyself: gather up thy heart in his holiness: and drive away sadness far from thee.”

Scholastic c. 1100 – 1500

1274

A.D.

Bonaventure Medieval

c. A.D. 1221–1274

“O, how few there are who guard the piety of religion! It is said in Ecclesiasticus: "Have mercy on your own soul, pleasing God; and gather and restrain your heart in holiness." "Have pity on your soul," that is, have piety toward your soul; "pleasing God," namely, that you strive to please God. And how? "Gather and contain your heart in holiness."”

Source

Modern · 1953 →

The in-app commentary runs from the Fathers to the early-modern record, then stops — that's where the public-domain sources end, not where the reading does. For the modern reading, follow the sources directly.