Humility (Sir 3:17-3:25)

“My child!

Perform your tasks with humility!

Then you will be loved

By those whom God accepts.

The greater you are,

The more you must humble yourself.

Thus you will find favor

In the sight of the Lord.

Great is the might of the Lord.

However he is glorified

By the humble.

Seek not what is too difficult for you.

Do not investigate what is beyond your power.

Reflect upon what has been commanded.

What is hidden is not your concern.

Do not meddle in matters that are beyond you.

More than you can understand has been shown you.

Their concern has led many astray.

Wrong opinion has impaired their judgment.

Without eyes,

There is no light.

Without knowledge,

There is no wisdom.”

Once again, assuming the role of the parent, Sirach teaches the importance of humility. Be humble in whatever you do. The greater you are, the more you must humble yourself in order to find favor with the Lord. The Lord is glorified by the humble. Do not seek what is too difficult for you. Do not investigate things beyond your power. Reflect on what you have been asked to do. Do not worry about hidden things. Do not meddle in things that are beyond you. You already have many more things in your life that you cannot understand. Worrying about these things has led many astray. A wrong opinion has led many to make wrong judgments. Be content with your lot in life. Do what you are told to do. Perhaps this is an attempt to warn against the Hellenization of Judaism. We have the final admonition, that there is no sight without eyes, while there is no knowledge without wisdom.