Sirach 7:5-7

Common English Bible

⁵ Don’t justify yourself
in the Lord’s presence,
    and don’t make a show of your wisdom
    with a king.
⁶ Don’t aspire to become a judge;
        you might not be strong enough
        to get rid of injustice.
    Perhaps you will be too cautious
    in the presence of a powerful person
        and bring a scandal on your good name.
⁷ Don’t sin against a city’s inhabitants,
    and don’t bring yourself down
    in their estimation.^[a]