Глава 10

As is the ruler of the people, so are those who serve under him; as is the ruler of a city, so are those who live in it. Do not be proud, but be meek, fearing God, attentive to the suggestions of wisdom. Sir.10:1 A wise ruler will teach his people, and the rule of a wise man will be prosperous. Sir.10:2 As is the ruler of the people, so are those who serve him; and as is the ruler of a city, so are all those who live in it. Sir.10:3 An unlearned king will destroy his people, but with the prudence of the mighty the city will be built. Sir.10:4 In the hand of the Lord is the power over the earth, and He will raise up the necessary man on it in time. Sir.10:5 In the hand of the Lord is the success of man, and on the face of the scribe He will impress His glory. 4–5. The Lord gives strength for wise and useful human activity. Sir.10:6 Do not be angry for any insult to your neighbor, and do not offend anyone by deed. Sir.10:7 Pride is hateful to both the Lord and people and is criminal against both. Sir.10:8 Dominion passes from nation to nation due to injustice, insults and covetousness. Sir.10:9 Why is the earth and ashes proud? Sir.10:10 And during his life his entrails are poured out. Sir.10:11 The doctor neglects long-term illness: Sir.10:12 And behold, today he is a king, and tomorrow he dies. Sir.10:13 But when a man dies, his inheritance is reptiles, beasts and worms. Sir.10:14 The beginning of pride is the removal of a person from the Lord and the retreat of his heart from his Creator; Sir.10:15 For the beginning of sin is pride, and he who possesses it spews out abomination; Sir.10:16 and for this the Lord sends terrible punishments on him and completely overthrows him. Sir.10:17 The Lord overthrows the thrones of rulers and places the meek in their place. Sir.10:18 The Lord uproots nations and plants the humble in their place. Sir.10:19 The Lord devastates the countries of the nations and destroys them to the foundations of the earth. Sir.10:20 He withers them, and destroys the people, and destroys their memory from the earth. Sir.10:21 Pride was not made for men, nor the fury of anger for those born of women. 6–21. Man is a creation of God, brought by Him, according to the flesh, from the dust of the earth and having to return, according to the flesh, to the same dust of the earth. Man owes his spiritual gifts and his external position to God, and therefore has absolutely no reason not to humble himself before the Lord God and treat his neighbors with pride. Such arrogance in a person is criminal and entails punishment from divine justice. – And during his lifetime his insides are erupted, i.e. There are diseases in which, even during a person’s earthly life, all the frailty of his bodily shell is revealed. - The doctor neglects a long illness: and now he is a king, and tomorrow he dies. The incurability of some human illnesses and his premature death serve as the best evidence of man’s own weakness in the transience of his glory in the absence of divine help supporting man. Sir.10:22 What kind of venerable seed? - Human seed. What kind of venerable seed? - Those who fear the Lord. Sir.10:23 What seed is dishonest? - Human seed. What kind of dishonorable seed? - Breaking the commandments. Sir.10:24 The elder among brothers is in their honor, so those who fear the Lord are in His sight. Sir.10:25 Whether one is rich and famous or poor, their praise is the fear of the Lord. Sir.10:26 It is unjust to dishonor a wise poor man, and one should not glorify a sinful man. Sir.10:27 Honorable are the nobles, the judges, and the rulers, but none of them is greater than the one who fears the Lord. Sir.10:28 A wise servant will be served by the free, and a wise man, being taught by him, will not murmur. Sir.10:29 Do not be too clever to do your work, and do not boast in time of need. Sir.10:30 Better is he who works and has abundance in everything, than he who walks idle and boasts, but needs bread. Sir.10:31 My son! glorify your soul with meekness and give it honor according to its dignity. Sir.10:32 Who will justify the one who sins against his life? And who will praise the one who disgraces his life? Sir.10:33 The poor man is honored for his knowledge, and the rich man for his wealth: Sir.10:34 But if he is respected in poverty, how much more will he be respected in wealth? And the inglorious in wealth will be how much more inglorious in poverty?