Ben Sira 7:16-18
New American Bible (Revised Edition)
16 Do not esteem yourself more than your compatriots;
remember, his wrath will not delay.
17 More and more, humble your pride;
what awaits mortals is worms.[a](A)
Duties of Family Life, Religion and Charity[b]
18 Do not barter a friend for money,
or a true brother for the gold of Ophir.[c]
Footnotes
- 7:17 Worms: i.e., corruption; the Septuagint adds “fire.”
- 7:18–36 Respect and appreciation, justice and kindness should characterize relations toward members of the household (vv. 18–28), God and the priests (vv. 29–31), the poor and afflicted, the living and the dead (vv. 32–35).
- 7:18 Ophir: the port, at present unidentified, to which the ships of Solomon sailed and from which they brought back gold and silver; cf. note on Ps 45:10.
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