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Do not seek from God authority
    or from the king a place of honor.
Do not parade your righteousness before the Lord,
    and before the king do not flaunt your wisdom.(A)
Do not seek to become a judge
    if you do not have the strength to root out crime,
Lest you show fear in the presence of the prominent
    and mar your integrity.

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Do not seek from the Lord the highest office,
    nor the seat of honor from the king.
Do not assert your righteousness before the Lord,
    nor display your wisdom before the king.
Do not seek to become a judge,
    lest you be unable to remove iniquity,
lest you be partial to a powerful man,
    and thus put a blot on your integrity.

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Don't ask the Lord for a place of honor or ask the king for an important position. Don't try to convince the Lord that you are righteous or make a show of your wisdom before the king. Don't set your heart on being a judge, unless you have the strength of character it takes to put an end to injustice. If you let yourself be influenced by someone in a position of power, your integrity will be damaged.

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'Sirach 7:4-6' not found for the version: New American Standard Bible.
'Sirach 7:4-6' not found for the version: New International Version.