Read & explore together
Maintain caution around the rich and powerful
Sirach 13:1–13 warns readers to be cautious around proud, rich, and mighty people. Through sharp comparisons and direct advice, this wisdom passage shows how unequal power can expose a weaker person to harm.
Understanding the passage
Listening in context
In this wisdom passage from the Catholic additional books, the speaker moves from images about influence and strength to a description of how the rich may treat the poor. The passage then gives practical counsel about invitations, speech, trust, and danger in such relationships.
Sirach 13:1–14Main takeaway
This passage teaches that where power is unequal, wisdom acts carefully and does not trust appearances too quickly.
Look closely at the words
Open a card to explore the full explanation and its Bible references.
01Company can leave a markThe opening compares proud company to touching pitch. Pitch defiles, and fellowship with a proud man makes a person become like him.
Explanation
The opening compares proud company to touching pitch. Pitch defiles, and fellowship with a proud man makes a person become like him. The warning is not only about what the proud man does, but about how close association can shape the one who joins him.
02Unequal power can crush the weaker personThe next saying warns against taking a burden above your strength and against fellowship with someone mightier and richer.
Explanation
The next saying warns against taking a burden above your strength and against fellowship with someone mightier and richer. The earthen pot and the kettle are not equal. If they strike together, the pot is dashed in pieces. The image explains why these relationships need caution.
03Wealth can be used to exploit and discardSirach then describes a pattern: the rich man does wrong and threatens, while the poor is wronged and apologises.
Explanation
Sirach then describes a pattern: the rich man does wrong and threatens, while the poor is wronged and apologises. If you are profitable, he exploits you. If you are in need, he forsakes you. Kind words and smiles may hide deception, shame, and eventual scorn.
04Be reserved and carefulThe final counsel is practical. Do not be deceived and brought low. Be reserved if a mighty man invites you.
Explanation
The final counsel is practical. Do not be deceived and brought low. Be reserved if a mighty man invites you. Do not press him, yet do not stand so far off that you are forgotten. Do not speak as an equal or believe many words. Keep watch, because you walk in danger of falling.
Questions to explore
Pause, look back at the verses and talk together.
01What do the pictures of pitch and the earthen pot add to the warning?
Notice that one image shows influence that rubs off, while the other shows what happens when unequal strength meets force.
02How does the passage describe the changing treatment of a poor person by the rich?
Follow the verbs: threatens, exploits, forsakes, deceives, shames, and laughs to scorn.
03What balance of behaviour is advised when dealing with a mighty person?
Look at the paired warnings about being reserved, not pressing forward, not standing too far off, and not trusting many words.
Read the Bible passage
World English Bible ClassicScripture quotation · Public domain
Sirach 13:1–13
1He who touches pitch will be defiled. He who has fellowship with a proud man will become like him.
2Don’t take up a burden above your strength. Have no fellowship with one who is mightier and richer than yourself. What fellowship would the earthen pot have with the kettle? The kettle will strike, and the pot will be dashed in pieces.
3The rich man does a wrong and threatens. The poor is wronged and apologizes.
4If you are profitable, he will exploit you. If you are in need, he will forsake you.
5If you own something, he will live with you. He will drain your resources and will not be sorry.
6Does he need you? Then he will deceive you, smile at you, and give you hope. He will speak kindly to you and say, “What do you need?”
7He will shame you by his delicacies until he has made you bare twice or thrice, and in the end he will laugh you to scorn. Afterward he will see you, will forsake you, and shake his head at you.
8Beware that you are not deceived and brought low in your enjoyment.
9If a mighty man invites you, be reserved, and he will invite you more.
10Don’t press him, lest you be thrust back. Don’t stand far off, lest you be forgotten.
11Don’t try to speak with him as an equal, and don’t believe his many words; for he will test you with much talk, and will examine you in a smiling manner.
12He who doesn’t keep secrets to himself is unmerciful. He won’t hesitate to harm and to bind.
13Keep them to yourself and be careful, for you walk in danger of falling.
Source passages
Source: Sirach 13 ↗Translation and source notes
Some verse numbers are represented by textual notes in World English Bible Classic. The reading below follows the text printed in the main passage.