Wisdom of Sirach 10, verse 1. A wise leader will educate his people, And the rule of an intelligent man will be well ordered. Wisdom of Sirach 10, verse 2. As goes the leader of a people, so also are his officials, And all the inhabitants of a city will reflect its ruler. Wisdom of Sirach 10, verse 3. An undisciplined king will ruin his people, But a city will be made habitable through the wisdom of its rulers. Wisdom of Sirach 10, verse 4. The authority of the earth is in the hand of the Lord, And He will raise up the right man for an appointed time. Wisdom of Sirach 10, verse 5. The success of a man is in the hand of the Lord, And He confers His honor upon the person of the scribe. Wisdom of Sirach 10, verse 6. Do not cherish anger against your neighbor for any injury, And do nothing by acts of insolence.
Beware of Arrogance
Wisdom of Sirach 10, verse 7. Arrogance is hateful before God and man, And wrongdoing is offensive to both. Wisdom of Sirach 10, verse 8. Dominion is transferred from nation to nation Because of wrongdoing, insolence, and wealth. Wisdom of Sirach 10, verse 9. How can he who is earth and ashes be arrogant? Because even while living, his insides are decaying. Wisdom of Sirach 10, verse 10. A physician scoffs at a long illness, And a king today will also die tomorrow. Wisdom of Sirach 10, verse 11. When a man dies, he will inherit Reptiles, wild animals, and worms. Wisdom of Sirach 10, verse 12. The beginning of a man's arrogance is to depart from the Lord, For his heart withdraws from the One who created him. Wisdom of Sirach 10, verse 13. For the beginning of arrogance is sin, And he who takes hold of it will pour out an abomination. Therefore the Lord will bring them extraordinary distress And completely destroy them. Wisdom of Sirach 10, verse 14. The Lord pulls down the thrones of rulers And seats the gentle in their place. Wisdom of Sirach 10, verse 15. The Lord plucks out the roots of nations And plants the humble in their place. Wisdom of Sirach 10, verse 16. The Lord overthrows the lands of the nations And destroys them to the foundations of the earth. Wisdom of Sirach 10, verse 17. He removes some of them and destroys them, And puts an end to their memory on the earth. Wisdom of Sirach 10, verse 18. Arrogance was not created by mankind, Nor fierce anger by the offspring of women.
Honor and Dishonor
Wisdom of Sirach 10, verse 19. What kind of seed is honored? The seed of man. What kind of seed is honored? Those who fear the Lord. What kind of seed is dishonored? The seed of man. What kind of seed is dishonored? Those who transgress the commandments. Wisdom of Sirach 10, verse 20. Among brothers their leader is honored, And those who fear the Lord are honored in His eyes. Wisdom of Sirach 10, verse 21. The fear of the Lord goes before the obtaining of authority, But roughness and pride is the losing thereof. Wisdom of Sirach 10, verse 22. The rich and the honored and the poor alike— Their boasting is the fear of the Lord. Wisdom of Sirach 10, verse 23. It is not right to dishonor an intelligent poor man, Nor is it proper to honor a sinful man. Wisdom of Sirach 10, verse 24. The nobleman, the judge, and the ruler will be honored, But none of them is greater than the one who fears the Lord. Wisdom of Sirach 10, verse 25. Free men will render service to a wise servant, And an understanding man will not grumble. Wisdom of Sirach 10, verse 26. Do not put your wisdom on display when you do your work, Nor magnify yourself in the time of your trouble. Wisdom of Sirach 10, verse 27. Better is he who works and has plenty Than he who magnifies himself but has no bread. Wisdom of Sirach 10, verse 28. My son, honor your soul with gentleness And give it honor according to its worth. Wisdom of Sirach 10, verse 29. Who will declare righteous the man who sins against his soul, And who will honor the man who dishonors his life? Wisdom of Sirach 10, verse 30. A poor man is honored for his knowledge, While a rich man is honored for his wealth. Wisdom of Sirach 10, verse 31. If a man is honored in poverty, How much more in wealth, And if a man is dishonored in wealth, How much more in poverty?