My child, do not cheat the poor of their living, and do not keep needy eyes waiting. Do not grieve the hungry, or anger one in need. Do not add to the troubles of the desperate, or delay giving to the needy. Do not reject a suppliant in distress, or turn your face away from the poor. Do not avert your eye from the needy, and give no one reason to curse you; for if in bitterness of soul some should curse you, their Creator will hear their prayer.
Endear yourself to the congregation; bow your head low to the great. Give a hearing to the poor, and return their greeting politely. Rescue the oppressed from the oppressor; and do not be hesitant in giving a verdict. Be a father to orphans, and be like a husband to their mother; you will then be like a son of the Most High, and he will love you more than does your mother.
Wisdom teaches her children and gives help to those who seek her. Whoever loves her loves life, and those who seek her from early morning are filled with joy. Whoever holds her fast inherits glory, and the Lord blesses the place she enters. Those who serve her minister to the Holy One; the Lord loves those who love her. Those who obey her will judge the nations, and all who listen to her will live secure. If they remain faithful, they will inherit her; their descendants will also obtain her. For at first she will walk with them on tortuous paths; she will bring fear and dread upon them, and will torment them by her discipline until she trusts them, and she will test them with her ordinances. Then she will come straight back to them again and gladden them, and will reveal her secrets to them. If they go astray she will forsake them, and hand them over to their ruin.
Watch for the opportune time, and beware of evil, and do not be ashamed to be yourself. For there is a shame that leads to sin, and there is a shame that is glory and favour. Do not show partiality, to your own harm, or deference, to your downfall. Do not refrain from speaking at the proper moment, and do not hide your wisdom. For wisdom becomes known through speech, and education 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, and do not try to stop the current of a river. Do not subject yourself to a fool, or show partiality to a ruler. Fight to the death for truth, and the Lord God will fight for you.
Do not be reckless in your speech, or sluggish and remiss in your deeds. Do not be like a lion in your home, or suspicious of your servants. Do not let your hand be stretched out to receive and closed when it is time to give.
Commentary
The greater you are, so Solomon said, humble yourself that much more. Though you govern many, you have not perfection if – and this is most important – you alone resist the person whom you cannot govern. You will truly be in charge of others when you are first in charge of yourself. I am not now saying this to wicked people, but most especially to the good. For if you consider God’s teaching, God’s precepts are not only for sinners, but also for the holy. The word of truth is spoken to them also, not to make them good, which they are, but to prevent them from becoming wicked, which they are not. In fact, I believe the good are more pleased with what is pure and what is free from blame. For our God is placated not so much by the pleasant prayers of those who praise him as by innocence and simplicity; God inclines his ear more to those who offer him a mind pure and free from guilt than to those who bring him the sweet blandishments of their prayers.
When I speak of vainglory or pride, there is none to whom I could more suitably address my words than to you who are in charge of many; for, even though you do not pay attention, they all heap compliments upon you, they all flatter, they all extol; and there is not one who offers something which is pleasant and, at the same time, far removed from danger. I am not surprised that they are all eager to do this, for just as there is not much work in praising a ruler, so is there not much cause for fear.
I had to offer you these methods of obtaining humility and even to add something on how to moderate your regimen, even though it may be unnecessary, since you may possess it already: for the wind of vanity is always stronger when the position of honour is stronger. Accordingly, I desire you to walk always with a humble heart in the sight of God, ‘to whom’, as Augustine says, ‘the depths of human consciousness are fully revealed’. For it is written: Upon whom does my Spirit rest, says the Lord, but on the lowly one who trembles at my words?
It is only humility of the heart, therefore, that by declaring itself weak can do all things, that achieves everything good by ascribing it always to God, not to itself. If one ascends in humility, he does not have room to fall. All the other virtues can summon us to perfection through high and difficult courses. Humility alone is on the level ground and, even though it seems lowly to others, it is actually higher than heaven, for it brings a person to its kingdom by descending rather than ascending.(Martin of Braga)
Musical Selection
O virtus Sapientiae, quae circuiens circuisti comprehendendo omnia in una via, quae habet vitam, tres alas habens, quarum una in altum volat, et altera de terra sudat, et tertia undique volat. Laus tibi sit, sicut te decet, O Sapientia.
O strength of Wisdom who, circling, circled, enclosing all in one lifegiving path, three wings you have: one soars to the heights, one distils its essence upon the earth, and the third is everywhere. Praise to you, as is fitting, O Wisdom
Collect
Strong and faithful God, look with mercy upon our human frailty, and stretch forth your powerful right arm to shield us from every danger. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God for ever and ever. Amen.