The interpretation timeline

Sir 7:34

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

From the early Church Fathers to now.

Sir 7:34 · Douay-Rheims

“Give them their portion, as it is commanded thee, of the firstfruits and of purifications: and for thy negligences purify thyself with a few.”

Medieval c. 750 – 1100

856

A.D.

Rabanus Maurus Medieval

c. A.D. 780–856

“It shows that the offering that one offers to God with a humble mind and pure love purifies him from many shortcomings and omissions, even if they are small. Concerning these matters it is written, "Love covers a multitude of sins." And the psalmist writes, "A broken spirit is a sacrifice to God, a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise." And it is for this same reason that the Lord did not despise the two small coins from the poor widow but accepted them with joy.”

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.