Sirach 11:2-20
New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition
2 Do not praise individuals for their good looks
or loathe anyone because of appearance alone.(A)
3 The bee is small among flying creatures,
but what it produces is the origin of sweet things.(B)
4 Do not mock those wearing only a loincloth
or make fun of those whose day is bitter,[a]
for the works of the Lord are wonderful
and his works are concealed from humans.(C)
5 Many oppressed have sat upon a throne,[b]
and one whom no one expected has worn a crown.(D)
6 Many rulers have been utterly disgraced,
and the honored have been handed over to others.(E)
Deliberation and Caution
7 Do not find fault before you investigate;
examine first and then criticize.(F)
8 Do not answer before you listen,
and do not interrupt when another is speaking.(G)
9 Do not argue about a matter that does not concern you,
and do not sit with sinners when they judge a case.
10 My child, do not busy yourself with many matters;
if you multiply activities, you will not be held blameless.
If you pursue, you will not overtake,
and by fleeing you will not escape.
11 There are those who work and struggle and hurry
but are so much the more in want.(H)
12 There are others who are slow and need help,
who lack strength and abound in poverty,
but the eyes of the Lord look kindly upon them;
he lifts them out of their lowly condition(I)
13 and raises up their heads
to the amazement of the many.
14 Good things and bad, life and death,
poverty and wealth, come from the Lord.[c](J)
17 The Lord’s gift remains with the devout,
and his favor brings lasting success.
18 A person becomes rich through diligence and self-denial,
and the reward allotted to him is this:(K)
19 when he says, “I have found rest,
and now I shall feast on my goods!”
he does not realize how time passes by;
he will leave them to others and will die.(L)
20 Stand by your agreement and attend to it,
and grow old in your work.
Footnotes
- 11.4 Heb: Gk Do not boast about wearing fine clothes, and do not exalt yourself when you are honored
- 11.5 Heb: Gk Many sovereigns have sat on the ground
- 11.14 Other ancient authorities add as 11.15–16:
Wisdom, understanding, and knowledge of the law come from the Lord; affection and the ways of good works come from him. Error and darkness were created with sinners; evil grows old with those who take pride in malice.
New Revised Standard Version, Updated Edition. Copyright © 2021 National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.