Sirach
32:1 If thou be made the master [of a feast,] lift not thyself up, but be
among them as one of the rest; take diligent care for them, and so sit
down.
32:2 And when thou hast done all thy office, take thy place, that thou mayest
be merry with them, and receive a crown for thy well ordering of the
feast.
32:3 Speak, thou that art the elder, for it becometh thee, but with sound
judgment; and hinder not musick.
32:4 Pour not out words where there is a musician, and shew not forth wisdom
out of time.
32:5 A concert of musick in a banquet of wine is as a signet of carbuncle set
in gold.
32:6 As a signet of an emerald set in a work of gold, so is the melody of
musick with pleasant wine.
32:7 Speak, young man, if there be need of thee: and yet scarcely when thou
art twice asked.
32:8 Let thy speech be short, comprehending much in few words; be as one that
knoweth and yet holdeth his tongue.
32:9 If thou be among great men, make not thyself equal with them; and when
ancient men are in place, use not many words.
32:10 Before the thunder goeth lightning; and before a shamefaced man shall go
favour.
32:11 Rise up betimes, and be not the last; but get thee home without delay.
32:12 There take thy pastime, and do what thou wilt: but sin not by proud
speech.
32:13 And for these things bless him that made thee, and hath replenished thee
with his good things.
32:14 Whoso feareth the Lord will receive his discipline; and they that seek
him early shall find favour.
32:15 He that seeketh the law shall be filled therewith: but the hypocrite
will be offended thereat.
32:16 They that fear the Lord shall find judgment, and shall kindle justice as
a light.
32:17 A sinful man will not be reproved, but findeth an excuse according to
his will.
32:18 A man of counsel will be considerate; but a strange and proud man is not
daunted with fear, even when of himself he hath done without counsel.
32:19 Do nothing without advice; and when thou hast once done, repent not.
32:20 Go not in a way wherein thou mayest fall, and stumble not among the
stones.
32:21 Be not confident in a plain way.
32:22 And beware of thine own children.
32:23 In every good work trust thy own soul; for this is the keeping of the
commandments.
32:24 He that believeth in the Lord taketh heed to the commandment; and he
that trusteth in him shall fare never the worse.
