Ben Sira 40:16

16 The reeds by any water or river bank are plucked up before any grass;

Ben Sira 40:16 In-Context

14 As a generous person has cause to rejoice, so lawbreakers will utterly fail.

15 The children of the ungodly put out few branches; they are unhealthy roots on sheer rock.

16 The reeds by any water or river bank are plucked up before any grass;

17 but kindness is like a garden of blessings, and almsgiving endures forever.

18 Wealth and wages make life sweet, but better than either is finding a treasure.