The interpretation timeline

Sir 35:20

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

From the early Church Fathers to now.

Sir 35:20 · Douay-Rheims

“He that adoreth God with joy, shall be accepted, and his prayer shall approach even to the clouds.”

Patristic before A.D. 750

430

A.D.

Augustine of Hippo Patristic

A.D. 354–430

“When tribulation comes, you will not be without help. This will show you that what he sent you during the day was true. In a certain passage it is written, "Mercy is as wonderful in time of affliction as clouds that bear rain in time of drought." "By day the Lord sent his mercy, and by night I will tell of it." At no time does he show you his help more than when tribulation comes, in such a way that he who had promised by day that he would do so, frees you from it.”

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.