Ben Sira 3:18-28

18 The greater you become, the more humble you should be; then the Lord will be pleased with you. ¹

20 The Lord's power is great, and he is honored by those who are humble.

21 Don't try to understand things that are too hard for you, or investigate matters that are beyond your power to know.

22 Concentrate on the Law, which has been given to you. You do not need to know about things which the Lord has not revealed, ²

23 so don't concern yourself with them. After all, what has been shown to you is beyond human power to understand.

24 Many people have been misled by their own opinions; their wrong ideas have warped their judgment.

26 Stubbornness will get you into trouble at the end. If you live dangerously, it will kill you.

27 A stubborn person will be burdened down with troubles. Sinners go on adding one sin to another.

28 There is no cure for the troubles that arrogant people have; wickedness has taken deep root in them.

Cross References 2

[a]. [Some Greek manuscripts add verse 19:] Many are exalted and esteemed, but God's secrets are revealed to the humble; [Hebrew:] God's mercy is great, and he reveals his secrets to those who are humble.
[b]. [Some Greek manuscripts add verse 25:] If you have no eyes, you cannot see; don't claim to have knowledge if you don't have it; [Hebrew has, after verse 27:] If you have no eyes, you cannot see; if you have no knowledge, you cannot have Wisdom.