01_Biblica_1_F_Gregory_Layout 1 05/11/12 12:13 Pagina 336 336 BRADLEY C. GREGORY are not necessarily sinful. They may simply include information that one would not want to fall into the hands of enemies and that therefore needs to be carefully guarded 34. However, if this verse is read in light of the prayer in 22,27–23,6, it could be inferred that the slip is at least a result of a lack of discipline, if not outright sin. In comparison with the treatments in Proverbs and 4QSapiential Work A, what explains this new element of a slip of the tongue? In surveying other passages on slander and gossip an obvious expla- nation presents itself: Ben Sira had personal enemies and appar- ently this was a stinging lesson he had learned from experience. In the chapter just before this instruction Ben Sira says: Whoever winks the eye plots mischief and those who know him will keep their distance. In your presence his mouth is all sweetness and he admires your words, but later he will twist your speech and with your own words he will trip you up. (27,22-23 NRSV) 35 The situation described here sounds remarkably similar to the one from which Ben Sira is trying to protect his students in 28,24- 26 and is probably modeled on Prov 6,12-15 36. But then he makes a telling aside when he comments: I have hated many things, but him above all even the Lord hates him (27,24 NRSV) 34 By using the analogies of hedging one’s vineyard and securing one’s money Ben Sira emphasizes how diligent the student must be in guarding the lips. Presumably, people then (as today) expend the most effort to protect their livelihoods. 35 It is striking how frequently this concern occurs in Sirach. Note these verses: “Do not let the insolent bring you to your feet, or they may lie in ambush against your words” (8,11 NRSV); “An enemy speaks sweetly with his lips, but in his heart he plans to throw you into a pit; an enemy may have tears in his eyes, but if he finds an opportunity he will never have enough of your blood. If evil comes upon you, you will find him there ahead of you; pretending to help, he will trip you up” (12,16-17 NRSV). Also note 6,7-13 and 13,12-13. 36 J.T. SANDERS, Ben Sira and Demotic Wisdom (SBLMS 28; Chico, CA 1983) 33-34. The similarity of this statement to Theognis 93-96 is noted by T. MIDDENDORP, Die Stellung Jesu Ben Siras zwischen Judentum und Hel- lenismus (Leiden 1973) 21-22. Sanders argues that Ben Sira’s reworking of Proverbs 6 has conflated it with the statements found in Theognis.