Evening Prayer

A Reading from the Wisdom of Ben Sira.

4 Do not seek from the Lord high office,    or the seat of honour from the king. 5 Do not assert your righteousness before the Lord,    or display your wisdom before the king. 6 Do not seek to become a judge,    or you may be unable to root out injustice; you may be partial to the powerful,    and so mar your integrity. 7 Commit no offence against the public, and do not disgrace yourself among the people. 8 Do not commit a sin twice;    not even for one will you go unpunished. 9 Do not say, ‘He will consider the great number of my gifts,    and when I make an offering to the Most High God, he will accept it.’ 10 Do not grow weary when you pray;    do not neglect to give alms. 11 Do not ridicule a person who is embittered in spirit,    for there is One who humbles and exalts. 12 Do not devise a lie against your brother,    or do the same to a friend. 13 Refuse to utter any lie,    for it is a habit that results in no good. 14 Do not babble in the assembly of the elders, and do not repeat yourself when you pray.