Key Verse Spotlight
Sirach 23:17 - Meaning and Application
Understand how this verse speaks to what you're facing and how to apply it today
Translation: World English Bible — Catholic Edition
" All bread is sweet to a fornicator. He will not cease until he dies. "
Sirach 23:17
Verse in Context
Understanding the surrounding verses prevents misinterpretation:
15 A man who is accustomed to abusive language won’t be corrected all the days of his life.
16 Two sorts of people multiply sins, and the third will bring wrath: a hot passion, like a burning fire, will not be quenched until it is consumed; a fornicator in the body of his flesh will never cease until he has burned out the fire.
17 All bread is sweet to a fornicator. He will not cease until he dies.
18 A man who goes astray from his own marriage bed says in his heart, “Who sees me? Darkness is around me, and the walls hide me. No one sees me. Of whom am I afraid? The Most High will not remember my sins.”
19 The eyes of men are his terror. He doesn’t know that the eyes of the Lord are ten thousand times brighter than the sun, seeing all the ways of men, and looking into secret places.
Explore Guided Bible Studies
Structured sessions with notes, questions, and advisor insights
The Beatitudes (5-Day Micro)
A short study on Jesus' blessings and the kingdom way.
Session 1 Preview:
Blessed Are the Humble
6 min
Psalms of Comfort (5-Day Micro)
Short, calming sessions grounded in the Psalms.
Session 1 Preview:
The Shepherd's Care
5 min
Create a free account to save notes, track progress, and unlock all sessions
Create Free AccountFrom This Chapter
Sirach 23:1
"O Lord, Father and Master of my life, don’t abandon me to their counsel. Don’t let me fall because of them."
Sirach 23:2
"Who will set scourges over my thought, and a discipline of wisdom over my heart, that they spare me not for my errors, and not overlook their sins?"
Sirach 23:3
"Otherwise my errors might be multiplied, and my sins abound, I fall before my adversaries, and my enemy rejoice over me."
Sirach 23:4
"O Lord, Father and God of my life, don’t give me a haughty eyes,"
Sirach 23:5
"and turn away evil desire from me."
Sirach 23:6
"Let neither gluttony nor lust overtake me. Don’t give me over to a shameless mind."
Daily Prayer
Get a daily Scripture reflection by email
Start each morning with a verse, a prayer, and a simple next step.
Important Disclaimer: This biblical guidance is not a substitute for professional mental health care. If you're experiencing crisis symptoms, please contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988 or seek immediate professional help.
Bible Guided provides faith-based guidance and should complement, not replace, professional therapeutic support.