Sirach 32

NEW AMERICAN BIBLE	DOUAI-RHEIMS
1 If you are chosen to preside at dinner, be not puffed up, but with the guests be as one of themselves; Take care of them first before you sit down;	1 Have they made thee ruler? be not lifted up: be among them as one of them.
2 when you have fulfilled your duty, then take your place, To share in their joy and win praise for your hospitality.	2 Have care of them, and so sit down, and when thou hast acquitted thyself of all thy charge, take thy place :
3 Being older, you may talk; that is only your right, but temper your wisdom, not to disturb the singing.	3 That thou mayst rejoice for them, and receive a crown as an ornament of grace, and get the honour of the contribution.
4 When wine is present, do not pour out discourse, and flaunt not your wisdom at the wrong time.	4 Speak, thou that art elder: for it becometh thee,
5 Like a seal of carnelian in a setting of gold is a concert when wine is served.	5 To speak the first word with care knowledge, and hinder not music.
6 Like a gold mounting with an emerald seal is string music with delicious wine.	6 Where there is no hearing, pour out words, and be not lifted up out season with thy wisdom.
7 Young man, speak only when necessary, when they have asked you more than once;	7 ,7A concert of music in a banquet wine is as a carbuncle set in gold.
8 Be brief, but say much in those few words, be like the wise man, taciturn.	8 As a signet of an emerald in a work of gold: so is the melody of music with pleasant and moderate wine.
9 When among your elders be not forward, and with officials be not too insistent.	9 Hear in silence, and for thy reverence good grace shall come to thee.
10 Like the lightning that flashes before a storm is the esteem that shines on modesty.	10 Young man, scarcely speak in thy own cause.
11 When it is time to leave, tarry not; be off for home! There take your ease,	11 If thou be asked twice, let thy answer be short.
12 And there enjoy doing as you wish, but without sin or words of pride.	12 In many things be as if thou wert ignorant, and hear in silence and withal seeking.
13 Above all, give praise to your Creator, who showers his favors upon you.	13 In the company of great men bake not upon thee: and when the ancients are present, speak not much.
14 He who would find God must accept discipline; he who seeks him obtains his request.	14 Before a storm goeth lightning: and before shamefacedness goeth favour: and for thy reverence good grace shall come to thee.
15 He who studies the law masters it, but the hypocrite finds it a trap.	15 And at the time of rising be not slack: but be first to run home to thy house, and there withdraw thyself, and there take thy pastime.
16 His judgment is sound who fears the LORD; out of obscurity he draws forth a clear plan.	16 And do what thou hast a mind, but not in sin or proud speech.
17 The sinner turns aside reproof and distorts the law to suit his purpose.	17 And for all these things bless the Lord, that made thee, and that replenisheth thee with all his good things.
18 The thoughtful man will not neglect direction; the proud and insolent man is deterred by nothing.	18 He that feareth the Lord, will receive his discipline: and they that will seek him early, shall find a blessing.
19 Do nothing without counsel, and then you need have no regrets.	19 He that seeketh the law, shall be filled with it: and he that dealeth deceitfully, shall meet with a stumblingblock therein.
20 Go not on a way that is set with snares, and let not the same thing trip you twice.	20 They that fear the Lord, shall find just judgment, and shall kindle justice as a light.
21 Be not too sure even of smooth roads,	21 A sinful man will flee reproof, and will find an excuse according to his will.
22 be careful on all your paths.	22 A man of counsel will not neglect understanding, a strange and proud man will not dread fear:
23 Whatever you do, be on your guard, for in this way you will keep the commandments.	23 Even after he hath done with fear without counsel, he shall be controlled by the things of his own seeking.
24 He who keeps the law preserves himself; and he who trusts in the LORD shall not be put to shame.	24 My son, do thou nothing without counsel, and thou shalt not repent when thou hast done.
	25 Go not in the way of ruin, and thou shalt not stumble against the stones; trust not thyself to a rugged may, lest thou set a stumblingblock to thy soul.
	26 And beware of thy own children, and take heed of them of thy household.
	27 In every work of thine regard thy soul in faith: for this is the keeping of the commandments.
	28 He that believeth God, taketh heed to the commandments: and he that trusteth in him, shall fare never the worse.