> [[sirach-09|← Previous]] | [[sirach-00|TOC]] | [[sirach-11|Next →]] --- # Sirach, Chapter 10 ## Chapter 10 1 A wise magistrate gives stability to his people, ^sirach-10-1 and government by the intelligent is welLORDered. 2 As the people’s judge, so the officials; ^sirach-10-2 as the head of a city, so the inhabitants. 3 A reckless king destroys his people, ^sirach-10-3 but a city grows through the intelligence of its princes. 4 Sovereignty over the earth is in the hand of God, ^sirach-10-4 who appoints the right person for the right time. 5 Sovereignty over everyone is in the hand of God, ^sirach-10-5 who imparts his majesty to the ruler. ### The sin of Pride 6 No matter what the wrong, never harm your neighbor ^sirach-10-6 or go the way of arrogance. 7 Odious to the Lord and to mortals is pride, ^sirach-10-7 and for both oppression is a crime. 8 Sovereignty is transferred from one people to another ^sirach-10-8 because of the lawlessness of the proud. 9 Why are dust and ashes proud? ^sirach-10-9 Even during life the body decays. 10 A slight illness—the doctor jests; ^sirach-10-10 a king today—tomorrow he is dead. 11 When a people die, ^sirach-10-11 they inherit corruption and worms, gnats and maggots. 12 The beginning of pride is stubbornness ^sirach-10-12 in withdrawing the heart from one’s Maker. 13 For sin is a reservoir of insolence, ^sirach-10-13 a source which runs over with vice; Because of it God sends unheard-of afflictions and strikes people with utter ruin. 14 God overturns the thrones of the proud ^sirach-10-14 and enthrones the lowly in their place. 15 God plucks up the roots of the proud, ^sirach-10-15 and plants the lowly in their place. 16 The Lord lays waste the lands of the nations, ^sirach-10-16 and destroys them to the very foundations of the earth. 17 He removes them from the earth, destroying them, ^sirach-10-17 erasing their memory from the world. 18 Insolence does not befit mortals, ^sirach-10-18 nor impudent anger those born of women. ### True Glory 19 Whose offspring can be honorable? Human offspring. ^sirach-10-19 Those who fear the LORD are honorable offspring. Whose offspring can be disgraceful? Human offspring. Those who transgress the commandment are disgraceful offspring. 20 Among relatives their leader is honored; ^sirach-10-20 but whoever fears God is honored among God’s people. 22 Resident alien, stranger, foreigner, pauper— ^sirach-10-22 their glory is the fear of the LORD. 23 It is not right to despise anyone wise but poor, ^sirach-10-23 nor proper to honor the lawless. 24 The prince, the ruler, the judge are in honor; ^sirach-10-24 but none is greater than the one who fears God. 25 When the free serve a wise slave, ^sirach-10-25 the wise will not complain. 26 Do not flaunt your wisdom in managing your affairs, ^sirach-10-26 or boast in your time of need. 27 Better the worker who has goods in plenty ^sirach-10-27 than the boaster who has no food. 28 My son, with humility have self-esteem; ^sirach-10-28 and give yourself the esteem you deserve. 29 Who will acquit those who condemn themselves? ^sirach-10-29 Who will honor those who disgrace themselves? 30 The poor are honored for their wisdom; ^sirach-10-30 the rich are honored for their wealth. 31 Honored in poverty, how much more so in wealth! ^sirach-10-31 Disgraced in wealth, in poverty how much the more! \* (10:9] – [10) The general implication is that a slight illness today may be followed by death tomorrow. The uncertainty of life leaves no room for pride. \* (10:19] – [11:6) Genuine honor comes not from one’s place in society but from fear of the Lord and a true estimate of oneself. The Lord exalts the lowly and oppressed; transgressors of the commandment merit dishonor and disgrace. † (10:20) Other ancient texts read as v. 21: The beginning of acceptance is the fear of the Lord; the beginning of rejection, effrontery and pride. a. (10:1) [Prv 29:4]; ([[wisdom-06|Wis 6]]:24]. b. (10:2] – [3) [[ezekiel-16|Ez 16]]:44; [Prv 29:12]. c. (10:3) [Prv 29:4] – [8]. d. (10:6) [Lv 19:18]. e. (10:11) [Sir 7:17]; [Jb 17:14]; [Is 66:24]. f. (10:13) [Prv 11:2]; [16:18]; [18:12]. g. (10:23) [Jas 2:1] – [4]. h. (10:25) [Prv 17:2]. i. (10:27) [Prv 12:9]. --- _New American Bible, revised edition_ (2010, 1991, 1986, 1970) Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Washington, D.C. > [[sirach-09|← Previous]] | [[sirach-00|TOC]] | [[sirach-11|Next →]]