Ecclesiasticus 32

1Have they made thee ruler of a feast?

Be not lifted up,

Be thou among them as one of them;

Take thought for them, and so sit down.

2And when thou hast done all thy office, take thy place,

That thou mayest be gladdened on their account,

And receive a crown for thy well ordering.

3Speak, thou that art the elder, for it becometh thee, but with sound knowledge;

And hinder not music.

4Pour not out talk where there is a performance of music,

And display not thy wisdom out of season.

5As a signet of carbuncle in a setting of gold,

So is a concert of music in a banquet of wine.

6As a signet of emerald in a work of gold,

So is a strain of music with pleasant wine.

7Speak, young man, if there be need of thee;

Yet scarcely if thou be twice asked.

8Sum up thy speech, many things in few words;

Be as one that knoweth and yet holdeth his tongue.

9If thou be among great men, behave not as their equal;

And when another is speaking, make not much babbling.

10Before thunder speedeth lightning;

And before a shamefaced man favor shall go forth.

11Rise up betimes, and be not the last;

Get thee home quickly and loiter not:

12There take thy pastime, and do what is in thy heart;

And sin not by proud speech:

13And for these things bless him that made thee,

And giveth thee to drink freely of his good things.

14He that feareth the Lord will receive his discipline;

And they that seek him early shall find favor.

15He that seeketh the law shall be filled therewith:

But the hypocrite shall stumble thereat.

16They that fear the Lord shall find judgment,

And shall kindle righteous acts as a light.

17A sinful man shunneth reproof,

And will find a judgment according to his will.

18A man of counsel will not neglect a thought;

A strange and proud man will not crouch in fear,

Even after he hath done a thing by himself without counsel.

19Do nothing without counsel;

And when thou hast once done, repent not.

20Go not in a way of conflict;

And stumble not in stony places.

21Be not confident in a smooth way.

22And beware of thine own children.

23In every work trust thine own soul;

For this is the keeping of the commandments.

24He that believeth the law giveth heed to the commandment;

And he that trusteth in the Lord shall suffer no loss.