Chapter 11

11. Wisdom lifteth up the head of him that is of low degree, and maketh him to sit among great men. Praise not a man for his beauty, neither abhor a man for his outward appearance. The bee is little among such as fly; but her fruit is the chief of sweet things. Boast 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 are hidden among men. Many kings have sat upon the ground; and one that was never thought of hath worn the crown. Many mighty men have been greatly disgraced; and the honourable delivered into other men's hands. Blame not before thou hast examined the truth: understand first, and then rebuke. Answer not before thou hast heard the cause: neither interrupt men in the midst of their talk. Strive not in a matter that concerneth thee not; and sit not in judgment with sinners. My son, meddle not with many matters: for if thou meddle much, thou shalt not be unpunished: and if thou follow after, thou shalt not attain, neither shalt thou escape by fleeing. There is one that laboureth, and taketh pains, and maketh haste, and is so much the more behind. 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, And lifted up his head from misery; so that many that saw it marvelled at him. Prosperity and adversity, life and death, poverty and riches, come of the Lord. Wisdom, knowledge, and understanding of the law, are of the Lord: love, and the way of good works, are from him. Error and darkness had their beginning with sinners: and evil shall wax old with them that are proud. The gift of the Lord remaineth with the godly, and his favour bringeth prosperity for ever. There is that waxeth rich by his wariness and pinching, and this is the portion of his reward: Whereas he saith, I have found rest, and now will eat continually of my goods; and yet he knoweth not what time shall come upon him, and that he must leave those things to others, and die. Be stedfast in thy covenant, and be conversant therein, and wax old in thy work. Marvel not at the works of sinners: but trust in the Lord, and 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. The blessing of the Lord is in the reward of the godly, and suddenly he maketh his blessing to flourish. Say not, What profit is there of my labour? and what good things shall I have hereafter? Say not, I have enough, and possess many things, and what can I have more? Defraud not the poor of his living, and make not the needy eyes to wait long. Turn not away thine eye from the needy, and leave not an occasion to curse thee: For if he curse thee in the bitterness of his soul, his prayer shall be heard of him that made him. Honour thy father and mother both in word and deed, that a blessing may come upon thee from them. Be not hasty in thy tongue, and in thy deeds see that thou be not slack. Be not as a lion in thy house, nor frantic among thy servants. Let not thine hand be stretched out to receive, and shut when thou shouldest repay.