Sirach 10:19-30

Honor and humility

19 What offspring are honorable? Human offspring. What offspring are honorable? Those who fear the Lord. What offspring are dishonorable? Human offspring. What offspring are dishonorable? Those who violate the commandments.
20 Among brothers and sisters, their leader is honored, and those who fear the Lord are honored in his sight.
22 The rich, the heroes, and the poor— their pride is the fear of the Lord.
23 It's not right to dishonor someone who is intelligent but poor, and it's not proper to give glory to a sinful person.
24 The official, the judge, and the ruler will be glorified, but none of them are greater than the one who fears the Lord.
25 Free people will serve the wise person who has been enslaved, and a knowledgeable person won't complain.
26 Don't show off your wisdom when you do your work, and don't magnify yourself when you have difficulties.
27 Those who work and have what they need in abundance are better than those who walk around glorifying themselves but lack bread.
28 My child, hold yourself in honor with gentleness, and give yourself honor as you deserve it.
29 Who will justify those who sin against themselves? And who will honor those who bring dishonor to their own lives?
30 Poor people will be honored because of their knowledge, and rich people will be honored because of their wealth.

Footnotes 1

  • [a]. LXXb adds 10:21 Fear of the Lord is the beginning of acceptance, but the beginning of rejection is stubbornness and arrogance.
Copyright © 2011 Common English Bible