Sirach
11:1 Wisdom lifteth up the head of him that is of low degree, and maketh him
to sit among great men.
11:2 Commend not a man for his beauty; neither abhor a man for his outward
appearance.
11:3 The bee is little among such as fly; but her fruit is the chief of sweet
things.
11:4 Boast not of thy clothing and raiment, and exalt not thyself in the day
of honour: for the works of the Lord are wonderful, and his works among
men are hidden.
11:5 Many kings have sat down upon the ground; and one that was never thought
of hath worn the crown.
11:6 Many mighty men have been greatly disgraced; and the honourable
delivered into other men's hands.
11:7 Blame not before thou hast examined the truth: understand first, and
then rebuke.
11:8 Answer not before thou hast heard the cause: neither interrupt men in
the midst of their talk.
11:9 Strive not in a matter that concerneth thee not; and sit not in judgment
with sinners.
11:10 My son, meddle not with many matters: for if thou meddle much, thou
shalt not be innocent; and if thou follow after, thou shalt not obtain,
neither shalt thou escape by fleeing.
11:11 There is one that laboureth, and taketh pains, and maketh haste, and is
so much the more behind.
11:12 Again, there is another that is slow, and hath need of help, wanting
ability, and full of poverty; yet the eye of the Lord looked upon him
for good, and set him up from his low estate,
11:13 And lifted up his head from misery; so that many that saw from him is
peace over all the
11:14 Prosperity and adversity, life and death, poverty and riches, come of
the Lord.
11:15 Wisdom, knowledge, and understanding of the law, are of the Lord: love,
and the way of good works, are from him.
11:16 Error and darkness had their beginning together with sinners: and evil
shall wax old with them that glory therein.
11:17 The gift of the Lord remaineth with the ungodly, and his favour bringeth
prosperity for ever.
11:18 There is that waxeth rich by his wariness and pinching, and this his the
portion of his reward:
11:19 Whereas he saith, I have found rest, and now will eat continually of my
goods; and yet he knoweth not what time shall come upon him, and that he
must leave those things to others, and die.
11:20 Be stedfast in thy covenant, and be conversant therein, and wax old in
thy work.
11:21 Marvel not at the works of sinners; but trust in the Lord, and abide in
thy labour: for it is an easy thing in the sight of the Lord on the
sudden to make a poor man rich.
11:22 The blessing of the Lord is in the reward of the godly, and suddenly he
maketh his blessing flourish.
11:23 Say not, What profit is there of my service? and what good things shall
I have hereafter?
11:24 Again, say not, I have enough, and possess many things, and what evil
shall I have hereafter?
11:25 In the day of prosperity there is a forgetfulness of affliction: and in
the day of affliction there is no more remembrance of prosperity.
11:26 For it is an easy thing unto the Lord in the day of death to reward a
man according to his ways.
11:27 The affliction of an hour maketh a man forget pleasure: and in his end
his deeds shall be discovered.
11:28 Judge none blessed before his death: for a man shall be known in his
children.
11:29 Bring not every man into thine house: for the deceitful man hath many
trains.
11:30 Like as a partridge taken [and kept] in a cage, so is the heart of the
proud; and like as a spy, watcheth he for thy fall:
11:31 For he lieth in wait, and turneth good into evil, and in things worthy
praise will lay blame upon thee.
11:32 Of a spark of fire a heap of coals is kindled: and a sinful man layeth
wait for blood.
11:33 Take heed of a mischievous man, for he worketh wickedness; lest he bring
upon thee a perpetual blot.
11:34 Receive a stranger into thine house, and he will disturb thee, and turn
thee out of thine own.
