Sirach 10
10
1A wise judge teaches the laws
to the people,
and a smart ruler
gets things organized.
2The people of a town
and its lower officials
usually follow the example
set by the judges and rulers.
3A stupid king
destroys his nation,
but a city grows
if its leaders can rule well.
4The Lord controls
all authorities on earth,
and he appoints the best rulers
for each situation and time.
5God alone gives the success
that brings honor to those
who write the laws.
Why Are We Humans So Proud?
6When neighbors harm you,
don't be angry or proud.
7The Lord and all people
hate pride and become angry
with injustice.
8A wealthy and arrogant nation
that fails to show justice
will soon be conquered.
9Why are we humans so proud?
We are only dust and ashes,
and we easily lose
our health and strength.#10.9 and we … strength: One possible meaning for the difficult Greek text.
10A long illness mocks the skill
of physicians,#10.10 A long illness … physicians: One possible meaning for the difficult Greek text.
and even a king
can die without warning.
11Then after our death,
our bodies are eaten
by wild animals and maggots
and worms.
12We humans start to be arrogant
when our hearts turn away
from the Lord our Creator.
13Sins are the source of pride,
and if we hold on to it,
our lives will be flooded
with more disgusting sins.
So the Lord destroys#10.13 destroys: Or “destroyed.” the proud
by punishing them with disasters
they never dreamed possible.
14 #
1 S 2.8; Lk 1.52. He removes powerful rulers,
replacing them with
the humble.
15When God decides to give land
to a humble nation,
he pulls up others by the roots
16and plows through their fields
until nothing remains.
17The Lord destroys some of them
so completely, that no one
remembers they ever lived.
18When the Lord created humans,
he did not intend for us
to be proud and angry.
19We deserve honor
only when we fear the Lord,
but we should not be honored
if we break his laws.
20A family should give honor
to its leader,
but God honors all
who fear him.
21He accepts them,
but he rejects those
who are proud and stubborn.#10.21 stubborn: Some manuscripts and ancient translations do not have verse 21.
22Fearing the Lord is something
to be proud of—
whether you are poor,
or rich and famous,
a Jew, or a Gentile.
23Don't look down on those
who are wise but poor,
and don't honor sinners.
24Honor always comes to judges
and people in power,
but anyone who fears the Lord
is even more deserving.
25So if you are smart,
you will understand
when you see a master
serving a wise servant.
26Don't spend your time thinking
of ways to avoid work,
and don't pretend to be well off
if you are short of money.
27It's better to work
and have more than enough
than to boast and go hungry.
28Students, be humble
but remember to have
proper self-esteem.
29Who will think you are innocent
if you call yourself guilty?
And who will give you honor
if you refuse
to respect yourself?
30The poor receive honor
if they are educated,
while the wealthy are praised
because they have money.
31So when the poor become rich
they will be praised more,
but the disgrace of the wealthy
will become much worse
if they lose their money.
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Sirach 10: CEVDCI
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Contemporary English Version, Second Edition (CEV®)
© 2006 American Bible Society. All rights reserved.