Sirach 10

KING JAMES BIBLE	CATHOLIC PUBLIC DOMAIN
1 A wise judge will instruct his people; and the government of a prudent man is well ordered.	1 A wise judge will judge his people, and the leadership of an understanding man will be steadfast.
2 As the judge of the people is himself, so are his officers; and what manner of man the ruler of the city is, such are all they that dwell therein.	2 As the judge of the people is, so also are his assistants. And whatever kind of man the ruler of a city is, of such a kind also are those who live in it.
3 An unwise king destroyeth his people; but through the prudence of them which are in authority the city shall be inhabited.	3 A foolish king will be the ruin of his people. For cities will be inhabited through the understanding of those with power.
4 The power of the earth is in the hand of the Lord, and in due time he will set over it one that is profitable.	4 Power over the earth is in the hand of God, and, in due time, he will raise up a helpful leader over the earth.
5 In the hand of God is the prosperity of man: and upon the person of the scribe shall he lay his honour.	5 The prosperity of a man is in the hand of God, and he will place his honor above the face of the scribe.
6 Bear not hatred to thy neighbour for every wrong; and do nothing at all by injurious practices.	6 You should forget all injury done to you by your neighbor, and you should do nothing among the works of injury.
7 Pride is hateful before God and man: and by both doth one commit iniquity.	7 Arrogance is hateful in the sight of God and of men. And all iniquity among the nations is abominable.
8 Because of unrighteous dealings, injuries, and riches got by deceit, the kingdom is translated from one people to another.	8 A kingdom is transferred from one people to another because of injustices, and injuries, and contempt, and every kind of deceit.
9 Why is earth and ashes proud? There is not a more wicked thing than a covetous man: for such an one setteth his own soul to sale; because while he liveth he casteth away his bowels.	9 But nothing is more wicked than a greedy man. Why should that which is earth and ashes be arrogant?
10 The physician cutteth off a long disease; and he that is to day a king to morrow shall die.	10 There is nothing more iniquitous than to love money. For such a one has sold even his own soul. For in his life, he casts aside his innermost being.
11 For when a man is dead, he shall inherit creeping things, beasts, and worms.	11 All power is of short life. A prolonged sickness is of grave concern to a physician.
12 The beginning of pride is when one departeth from God, and his heart is turned away from his Maker.	12 A physician causes a sickness to be shortened. So also, a king is here today, and tomorrow he will die.
13 For pride is the beginning of sin, and he that hath it shall pour out abomination: and therefore the Lord brought upon them strange calamities, and overthrew them utterly.	13 For when a man dies, he will inherit serpents, and wild beasts, and worms.
14 The Lord hath cast down the thrones of proud princes, and set up the meek in their stead.	14 The beginning of the arrogance of man is apostasy from God.
15 The Lord hath plucked up the roots of the proud nations, and planted the lowly in their place.	15 For his heart has withdrawn from the One who made him. For arrogance is the beginning of all sin. Whoever holds to it, will be filled with evil words, and it will overthrow him in the end.
16 The Lord overthrew countries of the heathen, and destroyed them to the foundations of the earth.	16 Because of this, the Lord has dishonored the gatherings of the evil, and he has destroyed them, even unto the end.
17 He took some of them away, and destroyed them, and hath made their memorial to cease from the earth.	17 God has destroyed the seats of arrogant leaders, and he has caused the meek to be seated in their place.
18 Pride was not made for men, nor furious anger for them that are born of a woman.	18 The roots of arrogant nations, God has dried up, and the humble among these nations, he has planted.
19 They that fear the Lord are a sure seed, and they that love him an honourable plant: they that regard not the law are a dishonourable seed; they that transgress the commandments are a deceivable seed.	19 The Lord has overthrown the lands of the Gentiles, and he has utterly destroyed them, even to their foundation.
20 Among brethren he that is chief is honorable; so are they that fear the Lord in his eyes.	20 He has dried up some of them, and he has utterly destroyed them, and he has caused their memory to depart from the earth.
21 The fear of the Lord goeth before the obtaining of authority: but roughness and pride is the losing thereof.	21 God has abolished the memory of the arrogant, and he has left behind only the memory of those who are humble in mind.
22 Whether he be rich, noble, or poor, their glory is the fear of the Lord.	22 Arrogance was not created for men, nor was an angry temperament created for the gender of women.
23 It is not meet to despise the poor man that hath understanding; neither is it convenient to magnify a sinful man.	23 Those who fear God among the offspring of men will be honored. But those among the offspring who ignore the commandments of the Lord will be dishonored.
24 Great men, and judges, and potentates, shall be honoured; yet is there none of them greater than he that feareth the Lord.	24 In the midst of his brothers, a ruler has honor. And those who fear the Lord will have honor in his eyes.
25 Unto the servant that is wise shall they that are free do service: and he that hath knowledge will not grudge when he is reformed.	25 The fear of God is the glory of the wealthy, and of the honorable, and of the poor.
26 Be not overwise in doing thy business; and boast not thyself in the time of thy distress.	26 Do not choose to despise a just man who is poor, and do not choose to magnify a sinful man who is rich.
27 Better is he that laboureth, and aboundeth in all things, than he that boasteth himself, and wanteth bread.	27 The great man, and the judge, and the powerful have honor. But no one is greater than he who fears God.
28 My son, glorify thy soul in meekness, and give it honour according to the dignity thereof.	28 Those who are free will serve an understanding servant. And a prudent and disciplined man will not murmur at correction. But an ignorant man will not be honored.
29 Who will justify him that sinneth against his own soul? and who will honour him that dishonoureth his own life?	29 Do not choose to extol yourself in doing your work, and do not be unproductive during the time of distress.
30 The poor man is honoured for his skill, and the rich man is honoured for his riches.	30 He who works, and so abounds in all things, is better than he who boasts, and so lacks bread.
31 He that is honoured in poverty, how much more in riches? and he that is dishonourable in riches, how much more in poverty?	31 Son, preserve your soul in meekness, and give it honor according to its merit.
	32 Who will justify one who sins in his soul? And who will honor one who dishonors his soul?
	33 The poor man is glorified by his discipline and fear. And there is a man who is honored because of his substance.
	34 But if someone is glorified in poverty, how much more in substance? And whoever is glorified in substance, let him fear poverty.