Sirach 4:1-10

Common English Bible

4 Don’t deprive a poor person’s life,
    and don’t avoid looking
    the needy in the eyes.
² Don’t grieve a hungry person,
    and don’t make a person
    in dire straits angry.
³ Don’t trouble an angry person,
    and don’t put off giving to the needy.
⁴ Don’t keep rejecting the plea
of someone in distress,
    and don’t turn your face
    away from the poor.
⁵ Don’t turn your
eyes away from someone begging,
    and don’t give anyone an opportunity
    to curse you.
⁶ If some curse you
in their bitter circumstances,
    the one who made them
    will hear their prayer.

⁷ Behave yourself pleasantly in the assembly,
    and bow your head
    to an influential person.
⁸ Listen to the poor,
    and reply with peaceful
    and gentle speech.
⁹ Set the wronged free
from the hand of the wrongdoer,
    and don’t be timid
    when you give judgment.
¹⁰ Be like a parent to orphans,
    and take care of their mothers
    as you would your own wife or husband.
    Do this, and you will be like a child
    of the Most High,
    and God will love you
    more than your own mother does.