Ben Sira 10:1-8

1 A wise magistrate educates his people, and the rule of an intelligent person is well ordered.

2 As the people's judge is, so are his officials; as the ruler of the city is, so are all its inhabitants.

3 An undisciplined king ruins his people, but a city becomes fit to live in through the understanding of its rulers.

4 The government of the earth is in the hand of the Lord, and over it he will raise up the right leader for the time.

5 Human success is in the hand of the Lord, and it is he who confers honor upon the lawgiver.

6 Do not get angry with your neighbor for every injury, and do not resort to acts of insolence.

7 Arrogance is hateful to the Lord and to mortals, and injustice is outrageous to both.

8 Sovereignty passes from nation to nation on account of injustice and insolence and wealth.

Footnotes

• [a]. Heb: Gk [scribe]
• [b]. Other ancient authorities add here or after verse 9a, [Nothing is more wicked than one who loves money, for such a person puts his own soul up for sale.]