English Bible
Sirach 11
Big screen- 1Wisdom lifts up the head of him that is of low degree, and makes him to sit among great men.
- 2Commend not a man for his beauty; neither abhor a man for his outward appearance.
- 3The bee is little among such as fly; but her fruit is the chief of sweet things.
- 4Boast not of your clothing and raiment, and exalt not yourself in the day of honor: for the works of the Lord are wonderful, and his works among men are hidden.
- 5Many kings have sat down upon the ground; and one that was never thought of has worn the crown.
- 6Many mighty men have been greatly disgraced; and the honorable delivered into other men's hands.
- 7Blame not before you have examined the truth: understand first, and then rebuke.
- 8Answer not before you have heard the cause: neither interrupt men in the midst of their talk.
- 9Strive not in a matter that concerns you not; and sit not in judgment with sinners.
- 10My son, meddle not with many matters: for if you meddle much, you shall not be innocent; and if you follow after, you shall not obtain, neither shall you escape by fleeing.
- 11There is one that labores, and takes pains, and makes haste, and is so much the more behind.
- 12Again, there is another that is slow, and has need of help, lacking ability, and full of poverty; yet the eye of the Lord looked upon him for good, and set him up from his low estate,
- 13And lifted up his head from misery; so that many that saw from him is peace over all the
- 14Prosperity and adversity, life and death, poverty and riches, come of the Lord.
- 15Wisdom, knowledge, and understanding of the law, are of the Lord: love, and the way of good works, are from him.
- 16Error and darkness had their beginning together with sinners: and evil shall wax old with them that glory therein.
- 17The gift of the Lord remains with the ungodly, and his favor brings prosperity for ever.
- 18There is that waxes rich by his wariness and pinching, and this his the portion of his reward:
- 19Whereas he says, I have found rest, and now will eat continually of my goods; and yet he knows not what time shall come upon him, and that he must leave those things to others, and die.
- 20Be stedfast in your covenant, and be conversant therein, and wax old in your work.
- 21Marvel not at the works of sinners; but trust in the Lord, and abide in your labor: for it is an easy thing in the sight of the Lord on the sudden to make a poor man rich.
- 22The blessing of the Lord is in the reward of the godly, and suddenly he makes his blessing flourish.
- 23Say not, What profit is there of my service? and what good things shall I have hereafter?
- 24Again, say not, I have enough, and possess many things, and what evil shall I have hereafter?
- 25In the day of prosperity there is a forgetfulness of affliction: and in the day of affliction there is no more remembrance of prosperity.
- 26For it is an easy thing to the Lord in the day of death to reward a man according to his ways.
- 27The affliction of an hour makes a man forget pleasure: and in his end his deeds shall be discovered.
- 28Judge none blessed before his death: for a man shall be known in his children.
- 29Bring not every man into your house: for the deceitful man has many trains.
- 30Like as a partridge taken and kept in a cage, so is the heart of the proud; and like as a spy, watches he for your fall:
- 31For he lies in wait, and turns good into evil, and in things worthy praise will lay blame upon you.
- 32Of a spark of fire a heap of coals is kindled: and a sinful man lays wait for blood.
- 33Take heed of a mischievous man, for he works wickedness; lest he bring upon you a perpetual blot.
- 34Receive a stranger into your house, and he will disturb you, and turn you out of your own.