True Glory from Ben Sirah

[Instrumental] [Verse] Whose offspring can be honorable? Human offspring. Those who fear the LORD are honorable offspring. [Verse] Whose offspring can be disgraceful? Human offspring. Those who transgress the commandment are disgraceful offspring. [Verse] Among relatives their leader is honored; but whoever fears God is honored among God’s people. [Verse] Resident alien, stranger, foreigner, pauper— their glory is the fear of the LORD. [Chorus] The poor are honored for their wisdom; the rich are honored for their wealth. Honored in poverty, how much more so in wealth! Disgraced in wealth, in poverty how much the more! [Instrumental] [Verse] It is not right to despise anyone wise but poor, nor proper to honor the lawless. The prince, the ruler, the judge are in honor; but none is greater than the one who fears God. [Bridge] When the free serve a wise slave, the wise will not complain. [Verse] Do not flaunt your wisdom in managing your affairs, or boast in your time of need. Better the worker who has goods in plenty than the boaster who has no food. [Chorus] The poor are honored for their wisdom; the rich are honored for their wealth. Honored in poverty, how much more so in wealth! Disgraced in wealth, in poverty how much the more! [Instrumental] [Verse] My son, with humility have self-esteem; and give yourself the esteem you deserve. [Bridge] Who will acquit those who condemn themselves? Who will honor those who disgrace themselves? [Chorus] The poor are honored for their wisdom; the rich are honored for their wealth. Honored in poverty, how much more so in wealth! Disgraced in wealth, in poverty how much the more! [Instrumental] [End]