Ecclesiasticus, 23
7. Give heed, my children, to the instruction that I pronounce, for he who keeps it will not be enslaved.
7. Give heed, my children, to the instruction that I pronounce, for he who keeps it will not be enslaved.
Ecclesiastical 23 deals mainly with the importance of controlling carnal desires and maintaining sexual purity. The author warns of the disastrous consequences of adultery, fornication and lust, and advises to seek divine wisdom to avoid these sins. Below are five verses related to the topics covered in Ecclesiastical 23:
Proverbs 6:32: "What adulterates with a woman is a lack of understanding; he who does it destroys his own soul." This verse highlights the foolishness of adultery and the damage it can cause the person who commits it.
1 Corinthians 6:18: "I ran away from fornication. All the sin that man commits is outside the body; but what fornic is sinning against his own body." The apostle Paul also emphasizes the importance of staying far from sexual immorality and points out that this sin is especially harmful to the body.
Matthew 5:27-28: "You have heard that it was said to the ancients, You will not commit adultery. But I say unto you, whatever looking at a woman with impure intention, in his heart has committed adultery with her." Jesus teaches that sexual purity is not limited to actions, but also to thoughts and desires.
Colossians 3:5: "Mortify, therefore, your members, who are upon the earth: prostitution, impurity, disordered appetite, vile lust, and greed, which is idolatry." The apostle Paul instructs Christians to mortify their carnal desires and seek things from above.
Hebrews 13:4: "Worthy of honor among all is marriage and the bed without macula; but to those who give themselves to prostitution, and to the adulterers, God will judge them." This verse highlights the holiness of marriage and the seriousness of sin of prostitution and adultery.
“Comunguemos com santo temor e com grande amor.” São Padre Pio de Pietrelcina
