Who has been tried thereby, and found perfect? then let him glory. Who might offend, and has not offended? or done evil, and has not done it?
All Commentaries on Wisdom of Sirach 31:10 Go To Wisdom of Sirach 31
Prosper of Aquitaine
AD 455
If we go back to the beginnings of the world, we find that the Spirit of God guided all of the saints before the flood, and for this reason they are also called children of God, since, as the apostle says, "All those who are guided by the Spirit of God are children of God." And because, neglecting to obey the ancestors, they became involved in illicit and reprobate marriages, and because of this wicked communion were judged worthy of extermination, the Lord said, "My Spirit will not remain forever with these people, for they are flesh." From this it is clear that this people, whose history is narrated year by year in an orderly manner, was first spiritual, that is, having a will that was guided by the Holy Spirit, in such a way however that this government and guidance did not take away their freedom to turn toward sin. If the people had not exercised this freedom, they would not have abandoned God. Nor would they have been abandoned by God, and they would rather have been that of which it is written, "Happy the one who could have sinned but did not." Therefore, as long as they remained with God, they remained in the will that God inspired in them and by which he would have governed them. "The will," as it is written, "is predisposed by the Lord."
