Ben Sira 4:3-13

3 Don't add to the troubles of someone who is already desperate. If he is in need, don't put off giving to him.
4 Don't refuse to help a beggar who is in distress. Don't turn your back on a poor person or give him any reason to curse you.
6 If he becomes so bitter that he does curse you, his Creator will hear his prayer.
7 Make yourself popular in the synagogue. Bow your head to men of authority.
8 Listen to what the poor have to say, and answer them politely.
9 Protect people from those who want to wrong them, and be firm in your judgments.
10 Be like a father to orphans, and provide widows with the help their husbands can no longer give them. Then you will be like a child of the Most High, and he will love you more than your own mother does.
11 Wisdom takes care of those who look for her; she raises them to greatness.
12 Loving her is loving life itself; rising early to look for her is pure joy.
13 Anyone who obtains Wisdom will be greatly honored. Wherever he goes, the Lord will bless him.
Scripture taken from the Good News Translation - Second Edition, Copyright 1992 by American Bible Society. Used by Permission.