Wisdom of Sirach 11, verse 1. The wisdom of a humble man will exalt his head, And he will take his seat among the great.
Outward Appearances
Wisdom of Sirach 11, verse 2. Do not praise a man for his good looks, And do not detest one because of his appearance. Wisdom of Sirach 11, verse 3. The bee is small among winged creatures, But her fruit is first among sweet things. Wisdom of Sirach 11, verse 4. Do not boast about your fine clothes, Nor magnify yourself in the day you are honored; Because the works of the Lord are wondrous, And His works are hidden from men. Wisdom of Sirach 11, verse 5. Many tyrants have sat on the ground, But one never thought of has worn a crown. Wisdom of Sirach 11, verse 6. Many rulers have suffered exceeding disgrace, And honored men have been betrayed into the hands of others.
Slow Down!
Wisdom of Sirach 11, verse 7. Do not find fault before you examine a situation. First, understand it, and then make your judgment. Wisdom of Sirach 11, verse 8. Do not answer before you have listened, And do not interrupt someone while he is talking. Wisdom of Sirach 11, verse 9. Do not argue about a matter that does not concern you, And do not sit together with sinners when they judge a case. Wisdom of Sirach 11, verse 10. My son, do not let your business involve too many things. If you multiply them, you will not remain unpunished, And if you pursue them, you will not overtake them; And you will not escape by running away. Wisdom of Sirach 11, verse 11. There is a man who works and works And keeps on working, but is in much more poverty. Wisdom of Sirach 11, verse 12. There is another who is sluggish and in need of help; And he lacks strength and abounds in poverty. But the eyes of the Lord look upon him for his good And restores his well-being from his humble state. Wisdom of Sirach 11, verse 13. He raises up his head, And many are amazed at this.
Handling Riches
Wisdom of Sirach 11, verse 14. Good and bad, life and death, poverty and wealth— These are from the Lord. Wisdom of Sirach 11, verse 15. The gift of the Lord remains with the godly, And His approval brings prosperity forever. Wisdom of Sirach 11, verse 16. There is a man who grows rich Because of his attention and restraint; And this is the portion of his reward: Wisdom of Sirach 11, verse 17. When he says, “I have found rest, And now I will partake of my good things.” Yet he does not know how much time will pass until he will die And leave them behind to others. Wisdom of Sirach 11, verse 18. Stand by your covenant and attend to it, And grow old in your work. Wisdom of Sirach 11, verse 19. Do not be amazed at the works of a sinner, But trust in the Lord and remain at your work; Because it is easy in the sight of the Lord To make a poor man rich quickly and unexpectedly. Wisdom of Sirach 11, verse 20. The blessing of the Lord is in the reward of a godly man, And in an instant He makes his blessings flourish. Wisdom of Sirach 11, verse 21. Do not say, “What do I need, And what good things will be mine in the future?” Wisdom of Sirach 11, verse 22. Do not say, “I am independent. From now on, what will harm me?” Wisdom of Sirach 11, verse 23. In the day of good things, There is forgetfulness of bad things, And in the day of bad things, There is no remembrance of good things. Wisdom of Sirach 11, verse 24. For it is easy in the judgment of the Lord To reward a man on the day of his death according to his ways. Wisdom of Sirach 11, verse 25. The ill-treatment of an hour makes one forget luxury, And at the end of a man's life, There shall be a revelation of his works. Wisdom of Sirach 11, verse 26. Consider no man happy before his death, And a man will be known in his children.
Beware of Evildoers
Wisdom of Sirach 11, verse 27. Do not bring every man into your home, For the plots of the deceitful are many. Wisdom of Sirach 11, verse 28. The heart of an arrogant man is like a decoy partridge in a cage, And like a spy he watches for your fall. Wisdom of Sirach 11, verse 29. For he lies in wait and turns good into evil, And he will attach blame to the good one chooses. Wisdom of Sirach 11, verse 30. From a spark of fire a charcoal fire is kindled, And a sinful man lies in wait for bloodshed. Wisdom of Sirach 11, verse 31. Beware of an evildoer and his schemes, Lest he bring lasting blame upon you. Wisdom of Sirach 11, verse 32. Receive a stranger into your home And he will upset you with troubles, And alienate your family from you.