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32
1 Have they made you ruler of a feast?
Be not lifted up,
Be you among them as one of them;
Take thought for them, and so sit down.
2 And when you have done all your office, take your place,
That you may be gladdened on their account,
And receive a crown for your well ordering.
3 Speak, you that are the elder, for it becomes you, but with sound knowledge;
And hinder not music.
4 Pour not out talk where there is a performance of music,
And display not your wisdom out of season.
5 As a signet of carbuncle in a setting of gold,
So is a concert of music in a banquet of wine.
6 As a signet of emerald in a work of gold,
So is a strain of music with pleasant wine.
7 Speak, young man, if there be need of you;
Yet scarcely if you be twice asked.
8 Sum up your speech, many things in few words;
Be as one that knows and yet holds his tongue.
9 If you be among great men, behave not as their equal;
And when another is speaking, make not much babbling.
10 Lightning speeds before thunder;
And before a shamefast man favor shall go forth.
11 Rise up betimes, and be not the last;
Get you home quickly and loiter not:
12 There take your pastime, and do what is in your heart;
And sin not by proud speech:
13 And for these things bless him that made you,
And gives you to drink freely of his good things.
14 He that fears the Lord will receive his discipline;
And those who seek him early shall find favor.
15 He that seeks the law shall be filled therewith:
But the hypocrite shall stumble thereat.
16 They that fear the Lord shall find judgement,
And shall kindle righteous acts as a light.
17 A sinful man shuns reproof,
And will find a judgement according to his will.
18 A man of counsel will not neglect a thought;
A strange and proud man will not crouch in fear,
Even after he has done a thing by himself without counsel.
19 Do nothing without counsel;
And when you have once done, repent not.
20 Go not in a way of conflict;
And stumble not in stony places.
21 Be not confident in a* Gr. without stumbling blocks. smooth way.
22 And beware of your own children.
23 In every work trust your own soul;
For this is the keeping of the commandments.
24 He that believes the law gives heed to the commandment;
And he that trusts in the Lord shall suffer no loss.

- Sirach
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*32:21 Gr. without stumbling blocks.

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