Sirach 10
A wise leader brings stability, while a foolish one leads to ruin. God has control over the earth and will raise up a helpful leader in due time. Arrogance and greed are abhorrent to God and lead to downfall, while humility and fear of God bring honor. Those who fear God will be honored, regardless of their social status or wealth.
1A wise judge will judge his people, and the leadership of an understanding man will be steadfast2As the judge of the people is, so also are his assistants. And whatever kind of man the ruler of a city is, of such a kind also are those who live in it3A foolish king will be the ruin of his people. For cities will be inhabited through the understanding of those with power4Power over the earth is in the hand of God, and, in due time, he will raise up a helpful leader over the earth5The prosperity of a man is in the hand of God, and he will place his honor above the face of the scribe6You should forget all injury done to you by your neighbor, and you should do nothing among the works of injury7Arrogance is hateful in the sight of God and of men. And all iniquity among the nations is abominable8A kingdom is transferred from one people to another because of injustices, and injuries, and contempt, and every kind of deceit9But nothing is more wicked than a greedy man. Why should that which is earth and ashes be arrogant10There is nothing more iniquitous than to love money. For such a one has sold even his own soul. For in his life, he casts aside his innermost being11All power is of short life. A prolonged sickness is of grave concern to a physician12A physician causes a sickness to be shortened. So also, a king is here today, and tomorrow he will die13For when a man dies, he will inherit serpents, and wild beasts, and worms14The beginning of the arrogance of man is apostasy from God15For his heart has withdrawn from the One who made him. For arrogance is the beginning of all sin. Whoever holds to it, will be filled with evil words, and it will overthrow him in the end16Because of this, the Lord has dishonored the gatherings of the evil, and he has destroyed them, even unto the end17God has destroyed the seats of arrogant leaders, and he has caused the meek to be seated in their place18The roots of arrogant nations, God has dried up, and the humble among these nations, he has planted19The Lord has overthrown the lands of the Gentiles, and he has utterly destroyed them, even to their foundation20He has dried up some of them, and he has utterly destroyed them, and he has caused their memory to depart from the earth21God has abolished the memory of the arrogant, and he has left behind only the memory of those who are humble in mind22Arrogance was not created for men, nor was an angry temperament created for the gender of women23Those who fear God among the offspring of men will be honored. But those among the offspring who ignore the commandments of the Lord will be dishonored24In the midst of his brothers, a ruler has honor. And those who fear the Lord will have honor in his eyes25The fear of God is the glory of the wealthy, and of the honorable, and of the poor26Do not choose to despise a just man who is poor, and do not choose to magnify a sinful man who is rich27The great man, and the judge, and the powerful have honor. But no one is greater than he who fears God28Those who are free will serve an understanding servant. And a prudent and disciplined man will not murmur at correction. But an ignorant man will not be honored29Do not choose to extol yourself in doing your work, and do not be unproductive during the time of distress30He who works, and so abounds in all things, is better than he who boasts, and so lacks bread31Son, preserve your soul in meekness, and give it honor according to its merit32Who will justify one who sins in his soul? And who will honor one who dishonors his soul33The poor man is glorified by his discipline and fear. And there is a man who is honored because of his substance34But if someone is glorified in poverty, how much more in substance? And whoever is glorified in substance, let him fear poverty
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