Duties toward the Poor and the Oppressed
4 My child, do not cheat the poor of their living,
and do not keep needy eyes waiting.(A)
2 Do not grieve the hungry
or anger one in need.
3 Do not add to the troubles of the angry
or delay giving to the needy.(B)
4 Do not reject a suppliant in distress
or turn your face away from the poor.(C)
5 Do not avert your eye from the needy,
and give no one reason to curse you,(D)
6 for if in bitterness of soul some should curse you,
their Creator will hear their prayer.(E)
7 Endear yourself to the congregation;
bow your head low to the great.
8 Give a hearing to the poor,
and return their greeting kindly.
9 Rescue the oppressed from the oppressor,
and do not be hesitant in giving a verdict.(F)
10 Be a father to orphans,
and be like a husband to their mother;
you will then be like a son of the Most High,
and he will love you more than does your mother.(G)
The Rewards of Wisdom
11 Wisdom teaches[a] her children
and takes hold of those who seek her.(H)
12 Whoever loves her loves life,
and those who seek her from early morning will be filled with joy.(I)
13 Whoever holds her fast inherits glory,
and the Lord blesses the place she[b] enters.(J)
14 Those who serve her minister to the Holy One;
the Lord loves those who love her.
15 Whoever obeys her will judge the nations,
and whoever listens to her will live securely.
16 If they remain faithful, they will inherit her;
their descendants will also obtain her.
17 For at first she will walk with them in disguise;
she will bring fear and dread upon them
and will torment them by her discipline
until she trusts them,[c]
and she will test them with her ordinances.(K)
18 Then she will come straight back to them again and gladden them
and will reveal her secrets to them.
19 If they go astray, she will forsake them
and hand them over to their ruin.
20 Watch for the opportune time, and beware of evil,
and do not be ashamed to be yourself.(L)
21 For there is a shame that leads to sin,
and there is a shame that is glory and favor.(M)
22 Do not show partiality to your own harm
or deference to your downfall.(N)
23 Do not refrain from speaking at the proper moment,[d]
and do not hide your wisdom.[e](O)
24 For wisdom becomes known through speech
and education through the words of the tongue.
25 Never speak against the truth,
but be ashamed of your ignorance.
26 Do not be ashamed to confess your sins,
and do not try to stop the current of a river.(P)
27 Do not subject yourself to a fool
or show partiality to a ruler.(Q)
28 Fight to the death for truth,
and the Lord God will fight for you.
29 Do not be reckless in your speech
or sluggish and remiss in your deeds.(R)
30 Do not be like a lion in your home
or suspicious of your slaves.(S)
31 Do not let your hand be stretched out to receive
and closed when it is time to give back.(T)
Footnotes
- 4.11Heb Syr: Gk exalts
- 4.13Or he
- 4.17Or until they remain faithful in their heart
- 4.23Heb: Gk at a time of salvation
- 4.23Other ancient authorities lack and do not hide your wisdom
Cross references
- 4.1 : Lev 19.13
- 4.3 : Prov 3.27, 28
- 4.4 : Tob 4.7
- 4.5 : Prov 28.27
- 4.6 : Deut 15.9; Job 34.28; Prov 28.27; Jas 5.4
- 4.9 : Isa 1.17; Jer 22.3
- 4.10 : Job 31.18; Isa 49.15; Lk 6.35; Jas 1.27
- 4.11 : Prov 4.8; Sir 6.27
- 4.12 : Prov 3.18; 8.17; Sir 32.14
- 4.13 : Prov 3.35
- 4.17 : Heb 12.13
- 4.20 : Sir 41.16; Col 4.5
- 4.21 : Sir 20.22; 42.1–8
- 4.22 : v 27; Sir 42.1
- 4.23 : Lev 19.17
- 4.26 : Prov 28.13; Jas 5.16; 1 Jn 1.8, 9
- 4.27 : v 22; Jas 2.9
- 4.29 : Prov 29.20; Sir 1.29; 5.13; Jas 1.19
- 4.30 : Prov 28.15; Eph 6.9
- 4.31 : Sir 29.2; Acts 20.35