Ecclesiasticus 11

1 Wisdom lifted up the head ¹of him that is of low degree, and ²maketh him to sit among great men.

2 Commend not a man for his beauty, neither abhor a man for his outward appearance.

3 The bee is little among such as fly; but her fruit ³is the chief of sweet things.

4 ⁴Boast not of thy clothing and raiment, and exalt not thyself in the day of honour: for the works of the Lord are wonderful, and his works among men are hidden.

5 Many ⁵kings have sat down upon the ground; and one that was never thought of hath worn the crown.

6 ⁶Many mighty men have been greatly disgraced; and the honourable delivered into other men's hands.

7 ⁷Blame not before thou hast examined the truth: understand first, and then rebuke.

8 ⁸Answer not before thou hast heard the cause: neither interrupt men in the midst of their talk.

9 Strive not in a matter that concerneth thee not; and sit not ⁹in judgment with sinners.

10 My son, meddle not with many matters: for if thou meddle much, thou shalt not be innocent: and if thou follow after, thou shalt not obtain, neither shalt thou ^*escape by fleeing.

11 ^†There is one that laboureth, and taketh pains, and maketh haste, and is so much the more behind.

12 Again, there is another that is slow, and hath need of help, wanting ability, and full of poverty; ^‡yet the eye of the Lord looked upon him for good, and set him up from his low estate,

13 And lifted up his head from misery; so that many that saw it marvelled at him.

14 ^¶ Prosperity and adversity, life and death, poverty and riches, come of the Lord.

15 ¹Wisdom, knowledge, and understanding of the law, are of the Lord: love, and the way of good works, are from him.

16 Error and darkness had their beginning together with sinners: and evil shall wax old with them that glory therein.

17 The gift of the Lord remaineth with the godly, and ²his favour bringeth prosperity for ever.

18 There is that waxeth rich by his wariness and pinching, and this is the portion of his reward:

19 Whereas he saith, ³I have found rest, and now will eat continually of my goods; and yet he knoweth not what time shall ⁴come upon him, and that he must leave those things to others, and die.

20 ⁵Be steadfast in thy covenant, and be conversant therein, and wax old in thy work.

21 Marvel not at the works of sinners; but trust in the Lord, ⁶and abide in thy labour: for it is an easy thing in the sight of the Lord, on the sudden to make a poor man rich.

22 The blessing of the Lord is ⁷in the reward of the godly, and suddenly he maketh his blessing to flourish.

23 Say not, ⁸What profit is there of my service? and what good things shall I have hereafter?

24 Again, say not, I have enough, and possess many things, and what evil can come to me hereafter?

25 ⁹In the day of prosperity there is a forgetfulness of affliction: and in the day of affliction there is no more remembrance of prosperity.

26 For it is an easy thing unto the Lord in the day of death ^*to reward a man according to his ways.

27 The affliction of an hour maketh a man forget pleasure: and in his end his deeds shall be discovered.

28 Judge ^†none blessed before his death: for a man shall be known in his children.

29 Bring not every man into thy house: for the deceitful man hath many trains.

30 Like as a partridge taken [and kept] in a cage, so is the heart of the proud; and like as a spy, watcheth he for thy fall:

31 For he lieth in wait, and turneth good into evil, and in things worthy praise will lay blame upon thee.

32 ^‡Of a spark of fire, a heap of coals is kindled: and a sinful man layeth wait for blood.

33 Take heed of a mischievous man, ^¶ for he worketh wickedness; lest he bring upon thee a perpetual blot.

34 Receive a stranger into thy house, and he will disturb thee, and turn thee out of thine own.