Sirach (Ecclesiasticus), Chapter 32

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 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, thou that art the elder, for it becometh thee, but with sound judgment; and hinder not musick. ⁴Pour not out words where there is a musician, and shew not forth wisdom out of time. ⁵A concert of musick in a banquet of wine is as a signet of carbuncle set in gold. 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 there be need of thee: and yet scarcely when thou art twice asked. ⁸Let thy speech be short, comprehending much in few words; be as one that knoweth and yet holdeth his tongue.

⁹If thou be among great men, make not thyself equal with them; and when ancient men are in place, use not many words. ¹⁰Before the thunder goeth lightning; and before a shamefaced man shall go favour. ¹¹Rise up betimes, and be not the last; but get thee home without delay. ¹²There take thy pastime, and do what thou wilt: but sin not by proud speech. ¹³And for these things bless him that made thee, and hath replenished thee with his good things. ¹⁴Whoso feareth the Lord will receive his discipline; and they that seek him early shall find favour. ¹⁵He that seeketh the law shall be filled therewith: but the hypocrite will be offended thereat. ¹⁶They that fear the Lord shall find judgment, and shall kindle justice as a light.

¹⁷A sinful man will not be reproved, but findeth an excuse according to his will. 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 advice; and when thou hast once done, repent not. ²⁰Go not in a way wherein thou mayest fall, and stumble not among the stones. ²¹Be not confident in a plain way. ²²And beware of thine own children. ²³In every good work trust thy own soul; for this is the keeping of the commandments. ²⁴He that believeth in the Lord taketh heed to the commandment; and he that trusteth in him shall fare never the worse.