Ben Sira 11:8-18

8 Do not answer before you have heard, nor interrupt a speaker in the midst of his words.
9 Do not argue about a matter which does not concern you, nor sit with sinners when they judge a case.
10 My son, do not busy yourself with many matters; if you multiply activities you will not go unpunished, and if you pursue you will not overtake, and by fleeing you will not escape.
11 There is a man who works, and toils, and presses on, but is so much the more in want.
12 There is another who is slow and needs help, who lacks strength and abounds in poverty; but the eyes of the Lord look upon him for his good; he lifts him out of his low estate
13 and raises up his head, so that many are amazed at him.
14 Good things and bad, life and death, poverty and wealth, come from the Lord.
17 The gift of the Lord endures for those who are godly, and what he approves will have lasting success.
18 There is a man who is rich through his diligence and self-denial, and this is the reward allotted to him:
Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright 1952 [2nd edition, 1971] by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.