Sirach 10

1 A wise judge instructs his people, and the leadership of an understanding person will be orderly. 2 As the people’s judge is, so are those who serve him; as the city’s leader is, so are all who live there. 3 An uninstructed king destroys his people, but a city is made habitable through the understanding of those in power. 4 Authority over the earth is in the Lord’s hand, and at the right time he raises up a person suited to lead it. 5 A person’s success is in the Lord’s hand, and he places his glory on the scribe’s face.

6 Do not nurse anger against your neighbor over every injury, and do nothing through abusive conduct. 7 Pride is hateful before the Lord and human beings, and wrongdoing comes from both. 8 A kingdom passes from one nation to another because of wrongdoing, abuse, and wealth. 9 Why are earth and ashes proud? Even while alive, a person casts away what is inside him. [b] 10 A physician makes light of a long illness, but someone is king today and dead tomorrow.

11 When a person dies, he inherits crawling creatures, wild animals, and worms. 12 Human pride begins with turning away from the Lord, when the heart withdraws from its Maker. 13 Sin is the beginning of pride, and whoever holds on to pride pours out detestable things. Therefore the Lord brought astonishing calamities on the proud and completely overthrew them. 14 The Lord pulled down the thrones of rulers and seated the gentle in their place. 15 The Lord tore up the roots of nations and planted the humble in their place.

16 The Lord overthrew the lands of nations and destroyed them down to the earth’s foundations. 17 He removed some of them, destroyed them, and brought their memory to an end on the earth. 18 Pride was not created for human beings, nor furious anger for those born of women. 19 What is an honored offspring? Human offspring. What is an honored offspring? Those who fear the Lord. What is a dishonored offspring? Human offspring. What is a dishonored offspring? Those who break commands. 20 A leader among brothers is honored among them, and those who fear the Lord are honored in his eyes.

21 The fear of the Lord comes before gaining authority, but harshness and pride cause authority to be lost. [a] 22 Whether rich, renowned, or poor, their boast is the fear of the Lord. 23 It is not right to dishonor an understanding poor person, and it is not fitting to glorify a sinful man. 24 A great man, a judge, and a powerful person may be glorified, but none of them is greater than one who fears the Lord. 25 Free people will serve a wise household servant, and a knowledgeable person will not grumble.

26 Do not try to look wise while doing your work, and do not seek glory in your time of distress. 27 A person who works and has everything in abundance is better than someone who seeks glory but lacks bread. 28 My child, glorify your soul with gentleness and give it the honor its worth deserves. 29 Who will vindicate someone who sins against his own soul? Who will glorify someone who dishonors his own life? 30 A poor person is glorified for his knowledge, and a rich person is glorified for his riches.

31 If someone is glorified in poverty, how much more in wealth? If someone is dishonored in wealth, how much more in poverty?