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Sirach 32

1Have they made you ruler of a feast? Don’t be lifted up. Be among them as one of them. Take care of them first, and then sit down.
1If 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.
2And when you have done all your duties, take your place, that you may be gladdened on their account, and receive a wreath for your good service.
2And 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.
3Speak, you who are older, for it’s your right, but with sound knowledge; and don’t interrupt the music.
3Speak, thou that art the elder, for it becometh thee, but with sound judgment; and hinder not musick.
4Don’t pour out talk where there is a performance of music. Don’t display your wisdom at the wrong time.
4Pour not out words where there is a musician, and shew not forth wisdom out of time.
5As a ruby signet in a setting of gold, so is a music concert at a wine banquet.
5A concert of musick in a banquet of wine is as a signet of carbuncle set in gold.
6As an emerald signet in a work of gold, so is musical melody with pleasant wine.
6As a signet of an emerald set in a work of gold, so is the melody of musick with pleasant wine.
7Speak, young man, if you are obliged to, but no more than twice, and only if asked.
7Speak, young man, if there be need of thee: and yet scarcely when thou art twice asked.
8Sum up your speech, many things in few words. Be as one who knows and yet holds his tongue.
8Let thy speech be short, comprehending much in few words; be as one that knoweth and yet holdeth his tongue.
9When among great men, don’t behave as their equal. When another is speaking, don’t babble.
9If thou be among great men, make not thyself equal with them; and when ancient men are in place, use not many words.
10Lightning speeds before thunder. Approval goes before one who is modest.
10Before the thunder goeth lightning; and before a shamefaced man shall go favour.
11Rise up in good time, and don’t be last. Go home quickly and don’t loiter
11Rise up betimes, and be not the last; but get thee home without delay.
12Amuse yourself there and do what is in your heart. Don’t sin by proud speech.
12There take thy pastime, and do what thou wilt: but sin not by proud speech.
13For these things bless your Maker, who gives you to drink freely of his good things.
13And for these things bless him that made thee, and hath replenished thee with his good things.
14He who fears the Lord will receive discipline. Those who seek him early will find favor.
14Whoso feareth the Lord will receive his discipline; and they that seek him early shall find favour.
15He who seeks the law shall be filled with it, but the hypocrite will stumble at it.
15He that seeketh the law shall be filled therewith: but the hypocrite will be offended thereat.
16Those who fear the Lord will find true judgment, and will kindle righteous acts like a light.
16They that fear the Lord shall find judgment, and shall kindle justice as a light.
17A sinful man shuns reproof, and will find a judgment according to his will.
17A sinful man will not be reproved, but findeth an excuse according to his will.
18A sensible person won’t neglect a thought. An insolent and proud man won’t crouch in fear, even after he has done a thing by himself without counsel.
18A 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.
19Do nothing without counsel, but when you have acted, don’t regret it.
19Do nothing without advice; and when thou hast once done, repent not.
20Don’t go in a way of conflict. Don’t stumble in stony places.
20Go not in a way wherein thou mayest fall, and stumble not among the stones.
21Don’t be overconfident on a smooth road.
21Be not confident in a plain way.
22Beware of your own children.
22And beware of thine own children.
23In every work guard your own soul, for this is the keeping of the commandments.
23In every good work trust thy own soul; for this is the keeping of the commandments.
24He who believes the law gives heed to the commandment. He who trusts in the Lord will suffer no loss.
24He that believeth in the Lord taketh heed to the commandment; and he that trusteth in him shall fare never the worse.