Sirach 32

KING JAMES BIBLE	NEW JERUSALEM
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.	1 Have they made you the presider? Do not let it go to your head, behave like everyone else in the party,see that they are happy and then sit down yourself.
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.	2 Having discharged your duties, take your place so that your joy may be through theirs, and you mayreceive the crown for your competence.
3 Speak, thou that art the elder, for it becometh thee, but with sound judgment; and hinder not musick.	3 Speak, old man -- it is proper that you should -- but with discretion: do not spoil the music.
4 Pour not out words where there is a musician, and shew not forth wisdom out of time.	4 If someone is singing, do not ramble on and do not play the sage at the wrong moment.
5 A concert of musick in a banquet of wine is as a signet of carbuncle set in gold.	5 An amber seal on a precious stone, such is a concert of music at a wine feast.
6 As a signet of an emerald set in a work of gold, so is the melody of musick with pleasant wine.	6 An emerald seal in a golden setting, such are strains of music with a vintage wine.
7 Speak, young man, if there be need of thee: and yet scarcely when thou art twice asked.	7 Speak, young man, when you must, but twice at most, and then only if questioned.
8 Let thy speech be short, comprehending much in few words; be as one that knoweth and yet holdeth his tongue.	8 Keep to the point, say much in few words; give the impression of knowing but not wanting to speak.
9 If thou be among great men, make not thyself equal with them; and when ancient men are in place, use not many words.	9 Among eminent people do not behave as though you were their equal; do not make frivolous remarkswhen someone else is speaking.
10 Before the thunder goeth lightning; and before a shamefaced man shall go favour.	10 Lightning comes before the thunder, favour goes ahead of a modest person.
11 Rise up betimes, and be not the last; but get thee home without delay.	11 Leave in good time, do not bring up the rear, and hurry home without loitering.
12 There take thy pastime, and do what thou wilt: but sin not by proud speech.	12 There amuse yourself, and do what you have a mind to, but do not sin by arrogant talk.
13 And for these things bless him that made thee, and hath replenished thee with his good things.	13 And for all this bless your Creator, who intoxicates you with his favours.
14 Whoso feareth the Lord will receive his discipline; and they that seek him early shall find favour.	14 Whoever fears the Lord wil accept his correction; those who look for him wil win his favour.
15 He that seeketh the law shall be filled therewith: but the hypocrite will be offended thereat.	15 Whoever seeks the Law wil be nourished by it, the hypocrite will find it a stumbling-block.
16 They that fear the Lord shall find judgment, and shall kindle justice as a light.	16 Those who fear the Lord win his approval, their good deeds shining like a light.
17 A sinful man will not be reproved, but findeth an excuse according to his will.	17 The sinner waves reproof aside, he finds an excuse for headstrong behaviour.
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.	18 A sensible person never scorns a warning; foreigners and the proud do not know about fear.
19 Do nothing without advice; and when thou hast once done, repent not.	19 Never act without reflection, and you wil not regret your actions.
20 Go not in a way wherein thou mayest fall, and stumble not among the stones.	20 Do not venture on a rough road, for fear of stumbling over the stones.
21 Be not confident in a plain way.	21 Do not be over-confident on an even road
22 And beware of thine own children.	22 and beware of your own children.
23 In every good work trust thy own soul; for this is the keeping of the commandments.	23 Watch yourself in everything you do; this is also the way to keep the commandments.
24 He that believeth in the Lord taketh heed to the commandment; and he that trusteth in him shall fare never the worse.	24 Anyone who trusts in the Law obeys its precepts, no one who has confidence in the Lord wil come toharm.