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