Ecclesiasticus (Sirach) 34

The. Greek, “on dreams. The,” &c. (Haydock)

No dependence can be had on the pretended interpretation of dreams, which do not come from God; (Calmet) as some do, Matthew i., and Daniel ii. (Worthington)

Man. When he turns away from the mirror, it appears no more, James i. 23.

Unclean. This text has been abused, to prove that the sinner cannot confer grace in the sacraments. (Calmet)

But Christ does this by his ministry. (St. Augustine, Psalm x. n. 6.)

Deceitful. Greek, “divinations, and auguries, and dreams, are vain.”

Travail. Such things cannot be explained. Twenty people will all give different interpretations.

High, as those of Jacob, Joseph, &c., were. Yet it is difficult to make the discrimination. (St. Gregory, dial. iv. 48.)

Homer admits of two sorts of dreams. (Odyssey xix.)

Them. The devil takes advantage of their weakness, and they have recourse to magic, &c. (Calmet)

Law, which forbids attention to dreams, Leviticus xix 26., and Isaias viii. 20. (Cornelius a Lapide)

No part of the law shall perish; and some will always explain it truly. (Worthington)

What. Greek, “A man who has travelled, knows much,” &c. (Haydock)

Thus Ulysses became so wise, (Homer) as well as the ancient philosophers, Pythagoras, &c. (St. Jerome, ad Paulin.)

The knowledge derived from books will not suffice. (Calmet)

Experienced. Greek, “much abroad, shall abound with subtlety. (11.) I,” &c.

And. Greek, “And I know more than I announce.” (Grabe’s edition)

For. Greek, “On account of these things I have been saved:” (Haydock) by my great experience, which gives weight to my instructions.

Is. Greek, “shall live. (15.) For....them. (16.) He,” &c. (Haydock)

From falling, or when a person is fallen.

Mockeries. Some Greek copies have “gifts.” Such unjust presents or sacrifices, God will abhor, Isaias xli. 8., and Deuteronomy xxiv. 15. (Calmet)

Lord. Greek, (23.) “most....wicked, nor,” &c.

Bread. Greek, “a livelihood, killeth his neighbour; and he sheddeth blood, who keepeth back the hire of the workman.” (Haydock)

Labour? So, if your sacrifices be ill-gotten, they will not be received; and if you relapse, you will be as bad as ever. (Calmet)

Dead. Literally, “is baptized by or from the dead;” baptizatur a mortuo. (Haydock)

St. Cyprian thought this text was peremptory against the baptism of heretics; and the Donatists were of the same opinion. They seem not to have read, if he touch him again, which entirely alters the meaning. St. Augustine admonishes them of this; though he explains it of the pagan rather than of the Jewish purifications, to which it refers, Numbers xix. 11. See St. Augustine, contra Cres. i. 24., and ii. 25., and contra Petil. i. 9., and St. Cyprian, ep. ad Quint. (Calmet)

Prayer. A relapse makes the former repentance useless, Matthew xviii. 33. (Worthington)