“Do not make a display
Of your wisdom
When you do your work.
Do not boast
When you are in want.
Better is the worker
Who has goods in plenty
Than the boaster
Who lacks bread.”
You should not display your wisdom when you are working. You should not boast when you have nothing to boast about. You should be a worker who has plenty rather than a boaster who has nothing to eat.
“Do not seek from the Lord a high office!
Do not seek the seat of honor from the king!
Do not assert your righteousness before the Lord!
Do not display your wisdom before the king!
Do not seek to become a judge!
You may be unable to root out injustice.
You may be partial to the powerful.
You may mar your integrity.
Commit no offense against the public!
Do not disgrace yourself among the people!”
Sirach then gave some instructions on how to conduct yourself in public places. First, you should not seek a high office or a seat of honor from the king. Second, do not claim to be righteous before the Lord. Third, do not display your wisdom before the king. Fourth, you should not seek to become a judge because you may not be able to get rid of evil injustice. You might be partial to the powerful people and mar your own integrity. Finally, do not commit any offense against the people so that you do not end up in disgrace.
“Watch for the opportune time!
Beware of evil!
Do not be ashamed to be yourself!
There is a shame that leads to sin.
There is also a shame that is glory
There is a shame that is favor.
Do not show partiality to your own harm!
Do not show deference to your downfall!
Do not refrain from speaking at the proper moment!
Do not hide your wisdom!
Wisdom becomes known through speech.
Education becomes known
Through the words of the tongue.
Never speak against the truth.
But be ashamed of your ignorance.
Do not be ashamed to confess your sins!
Do not try to stop the current of a river!
Do not subject yourself to a fool!
Do not show partiality to a ruler!
Fight to the death for truth!
The Lord God will fight for you.”
Here we have a series of reprimands about human conduct. You should be aware of evil. You should not be ashamed of yourself. There is a shame that leads to sin, but also a shame that leads to glory and favors. Watch out for your own harm and downfall. Speak out at the proper moment. You should not hide your wisdom. People know you are wise and educated by your speech and the words of your tongue. Never go against the truth. You should be ashamed of your ignorance, but not be ashamed to confess your sins. Do not go against the river current or subject yourself to a fool. Do not show partiality to a ruler, but fight to the death for truth. God will then fight for you.
Eugene Finnegan Bible Project 