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.
Read full chapterFootnotes
- Sirach 11:4 Hebrew Don't...rags; Greek Don't take pride in fine clothes, and don't let compliments go to your head.
Sirach 11:1-6
New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition
The Deceptiveness of Appearances
11 The wisdom of the humble lifts their heads high
and seats them among the great.(A)
2 Do not praise individuals for their good looks
or loathe anyone because of appearance alone.(B)
3 The bee is small among flying creatures,
but what it produces is the origin of sweet things.(C)
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.(D)
5 Many oppressed have sat upon a throne,[b]
and one whom no one expected has worn a crown.(E)
6 Many rulers have been utterly disgraced,
and the honored have been handed over to others.(F)
Ben Sira 11:1-6
New American Bible (Revised Edition)
Chapter 11
1 The wisdom of the poor lifts their head high
and sets them among princes.
2 Do not praise anyone for good looks;
or despise anyone because of appearance.
3 The bee is least among winged creatures,
but it reaps the choicest of harvests.
4 Do not mock the one who wears only a loin-cloth,
or scoff at a person’s bitter day.
For strange are the deeds of the Lord,
hidden from mortals his work.[a]
5 Many are the oppressed who rise to the throne;
some that none would consider wear a crown.[b]
6 Many are the exalted who fall into utter disgrace,
many the honored who are given into the power of the few.
Sirach 11:1-6
New Revised Standard Version, Anglicised Catholic Edition
The Deceptiveness of Appearances
11 The wisdom of the humble lifts their heads high,
and seats them among the great.
2 Do not praise individuals for their good looks,
or loathe anyone because of appearance alone.
3 The bee is small among flying creatures,
but what it produces is the best of sweet things.
4 Do not boast about wearing fine clothes,
and do not exalt yourself when you are honoured;
for the works of the Lord are wonderful,
and his works are concealed from humankind.
5 Many kings have had to sit on the ground,
but one who was never thought of has worn a crown.
6 Many rulers have been utterly disgraced,
and the honoured have been handed over to others.
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