The Wisdom of Jesus the Son of Sirach, or Ecclesiasticus 10

1A wise judge will instruct his people; 2As is the judge of his people, so are his ministers; such are all those who dwell therein. 3An uninstructed king will destroy his people; 4In the hand of the Lord is the authority of the earth; 5In the hand of the Lord is the prosperity of a man; 6Be not angry with your neighbor for every wrong; 7Pride is hateful before the Lord and before men; 8Sovereignty is transferred from nation to nation, 9Why is earth and ashes proud? The text here is uncertain. Two lines of this verse are here omitted by the best authorities. his life he has cast away his bowels. 10It is a long disease; the physician mocketh: he is a king today, and tomorrow he will die. 11For when a man is dead, 12It is the beginning of pride when a man departs from the Lord; 13For the beginning of pride is sin; 14The Lord cast down the thrones of rulers, 15The Lord plucked up the roots of nations, 16The Lord overthrew the lands of nations, 17He took some of them away, and destroyed them, 18Pride has not been created for men, 19What manner of seed has honor? the seed of man. The MSS. here greatly differ. The rendering represents the most probable text. 20In the midst of kindred he that rules them has honor; 21Verse 21 is omitted by the best authorities. 22The rich man, and the honorable, and the poor, 23It is not right to dishonor a poor man that has understanding; 24The great man, and the judge, and the mighty man, will be glorified; 25Free men will minister to a wise servant; thereat. 26Be not over wise in doing your work; 27Better is he that labores, and abounds in all things, The Greek text of this verse is uncertain. 28My son, glorify your soul in meekness, 29Who will justify him that sins against his own soul? 30A poor man is glorified for his knowledge; 31But he that is glorified in poverty, how much more in riches?