Sirach 11:1-6

Good News Translation

11 ¹ If a poor person is wise, he has good reason to be proud, and he will be thought of as someone great.

Appearances

² Do not compliment a person on his good looks. On the other hand, do not look down on someone who is unattractive. ³ Compared to most flying things, a bee is very small, but the honey it makes is the sweetest of foods. ⁴ Don't make fun of someone who has fallen on hard times and is dressed in rags.^[a] The Lord does wonderful things that human beings never notice. ⁵ Many are the kings who have ended their careers sitting on the ground, while their crowns were worn by those no one had heard of before. ⁶ Many are the rulers who have suffered disgrace. Many are the famous people who have fallen into the power of others.