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Verse 5
Theosis · English Bible
Sirach

Sirach 11

Old TestamentTheosis · English Bible

1Wisdom lifteth up the head of him that is of low degree, and maketh him to sit among great men. 2Commend not a man for his beauty; neither abhor a man for his outward appearance. 3The bee is little among such as fly; but her fruit is the chief of sweet things. 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. 5Many kings have sat down upon the ground; and one that was never thought of hath worn the crown. 6Many mighty men have been greatly disgraced; and the honourable delivered into other men's hands. 7Blame not before thou hast examined the truth: understand first, and then rebuke. 8Answer not before thou hast heard the cause: neither interrupt men in the midst of their talk. 9Strive not in a matter that concerneth thee not; and sit not in judgment with sinners. 10My 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. 11There is one that laboureth, and taketh pains, and maketh haste, and is so much the more behind. 12Again, 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, 13and lifted up his head from misery; so that many that saw it marvelled at him. 14Prosperity and adversity, life and death, poverty and riches, come of the Lord. 15Wisdom and understanding and the knowledge of the law come from the Lord; love and the ways of good works are from Him. 16Error and darkness were created with sinners, and with those who are proud of wickedness, wickedness will grow old. 17The gift of the Lord remaineth with the godly, and his favour bringeth prosperity for ever. 18There is that waxeth rich by his wariness and pinching, and this is the portion of his reward: 19whereas 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. 20Be stedfast in thy covenant, and be conversant therein, and wax old in thy work. 21Marvel 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. 22The blessing of the Lord is in the reward of the godly, and suddenly he maketh his blessing to flourish. 23Say not, What profit is there of my service? and what good things shall I have hereafter? 24Again, say not, I have enough, and possess many things, and what evil can come to me hereafter? 25In the day of prosperity there is a forgetfulness of affliction: and in the day of affliction there is no more remembrance of prosperity. 26For it is an easy thing unto the Lord in the day of death to reward a man according to his ways. 27The affliction of an hour maketh a man forget pleasure: and in his end his deeds shall be discovered. 28Judge none blessed before his death: for a man shall be known in his children. 29Bring not every man into thine house: for the deceitful man hath many trains. 30Like 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: 31for he lieth in wait, and turneth good into evil, and in things worthy praise will lay blame upon thee. 32Of a spark of fire a heap of coals is kindled: and a sinful man layeth wait for blood. 33Take heed of a mischievous man, for he worketh wickedness: lest he bring upon thee a perpetual blot. 34Receive a stranger into thine house, and he will disturb thee, and turn thee out of thine own.

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Sirach 11:5

John Chrysostom

John Chrysostom4th century

Today, new rulers ascend only to meet their demise tomorrow. In illustrating the fickleness of human hopes, a wise commentator notes that although many leaders once occupied the earth, it was the one who was overlooked who ultimately wore the crown. Similarly, your late husband’s rise to power was uncertain and perhaps not widely recognized during his lifetime. The future’s unpredictability and various circumstances cloud our perception of what might have been. What evidence is there that, had he continued living, he would have secured that authority? Could he not have faced the opposite fate, losing the honor he once held due to illness, the envy and spite of those who wished him harm, or from some other calamity?

How can we extinguish pride? To achieve this, it is crucial to know God; ignorance of Him breeds arrogance. Once we comprehend His nature, all pride will diminish. Reflect on the reality of Gehenna, consider those who are more virtuous than yourself, and remember your own guilt before God. Contemplating these truths will soon discipline your thoughts and bring about humility. Yet, if you find this difficult or feel incapable, focus on the present condition of humanity and our inherent insignificance. When you witness a corpse being carried through the streets, with mourning children and a grieving widow, along with sorrowful servants and friends, consider the transitory nature of life, likening it to shadows and dreams. Is this not your desire? Recall those who once possessed immense wealth but were utterly devastated by conflict. Examine the grand residences of illustrious individuals, now reduced to ruins. Contemplate how formidable they once were, and now their legacies have faded. Daily, if you desire, you can encounter similar instances: the shifting of rulers, and the confiscation of riches by the state. “Many of the rulers sat on the earth, the one who was not thought of wore a crown.” Does this not occur regularly? Is our fate not cyclical? If you wish, read our texts alongside those of the pagan authors; their works are replete with similar accounts. If you prefer only the philosophy of the ancients, turn to them, for they will instruct you through tales of the calamities experienced by those before us—the poets, orators, sophists, and all writers. Seek, and you will discover countless examples in every corner.