Sirach 32

NEW JERUSALEM	CATHOLIC PUBLIC DOMAIN
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.	1 Have they appointed you as a leader? Do not be willing to be extolled. Be among them as one of them.
2 Having discharged your duties, take your place so that your joy may be through theirs, and you mayreceive the crown for your competence.	2 Have concern for them, and in this way sit down with them, and when you have explained all your concerns, sit back.
3 Speak, old man -- it is proper that you should -- but with discretion: do not spoil the music.	3 Then you may rejoice because of them, and you may receive a crown as an adornment of grace, and so obtain the dignity of the assembly.
4 If someone is singing, do not ramble on and do not play the sage at the wrong moment.	4 Speak, you who are greater by birth. For it is fitting for you
5 An amber seal on a precious stone, such is a concert of music at a wine feast.	5 to speak the first word with careful knowledge. But you should not hinder the music.
6 An emerald seal in a golden setting, such are strains of music with a vintage wine.	6 Where no one is listening, you should not pour out words. And do not choose to be extolled improperly for your wisdom.
7 Speak, young man, when you must, but twice at most, and then only if questioned.	7 A gemstone of garnet is set amid an ornament of gold, and a concert of music is set amid a banquet of wine.
8 Keep to the point, say much in few words; give the impression of knowing but not wanting to speak.	8 Just as a signet of emerald is set amid a work of gold, so is a melody of music set amid delightful and moderate wine.
9 Among eminent people do not behave as though you were their equal; do not make frivolous remarkswhen someone else is speaking.	9 Listen silently, and for your reverence, good graces will be added to you.
10 Lightning comes before the thunder, favour goes ahead of a modest person.	10 Young man, speak in your own case only reluctantly.
11 Leave in good time, do not bring up the rear, and hurry home without loitering.	11 If you have been asked twice, let your response be concise.
12 There amuse yourself, and do what you have a mind to, but do not sin by arrogant talk.	12 In many matters, be as if you lack knowledge, and listen silently as well as intently.
13 And for all this bless your Creator, who intoxicates you with his favours.	13 In the midst of great men, you should not be presumptuous. And where the elders are present, you should not speak much.
14 Whoever fears the Lord wil accept his correction; those who look for him wil win his favour.	14 Lightning goes before a hailstorm, and grace goes before modesty. And so, for your reverence, good graces will be added to you.
15 Whoever seeks the Law wil be nourished by it, the hypocrite will find it a stumbling-block.	15 And at the hour for rising, you should not be lax. Later, be the first to run ahead to your house, and there withdraw, and there take your pastime.
16 Those who fear the Lord win his approval, their good deeds shining like a light.	16 And act according to your intentions, but not in sin and not in arrogant speech.
17 The sinner waves reproof aside, he finds an excuse for headstrong behaviour.	17 And for all these things, bless the Lord, who made you, and who fills you to overflowing with all his good things.
18 A sensible person never scorns a warning; foreigners and the proud do not know about fear.	18 Whoever fears the Lord will accept his doctrine. And whoever watches for him diligently will find a blessing.
19 Never act without reflection, and you wil not regret your actions.	19 Whoever seeks the law will be filled from the law. But whoever acts with treachery will be scandalized by treachery.
20 Do not venture on a rough road, for fear of stumbling over the stones.	20 Those who fear the Lord will find just judgment, and they will kindle justice like a light.
21 Do not be over-confident on an even road	21 A sinful man will shun correction, and he will find a rationalization in accord with his own will.
22 and beware of your own children.	22 A man of counsel will not reject understanding. A strange and arrogant man will not be disturbed by fear.
23 Watch yourself in everything you do; this is also the way to keep the commandments.	23 Even so, after he has acted out of fear and without counsel, he will be rebuked by his own criticism.
24 Anyone who trusts in the Law obeys its precepts, no one who has confidence in the Lord wil come toharm.	24 Son, you should do nothing without counsel, and then you will not regret what you have done.
	25 You should not go into the way of ruin, and you then will not stumble on stones. You should not commit yourself to a laborious way; otherwise, you may set up a scandal against your own soul.
	26 And be cautious concerning your own sons. And be attentive to those of your own household.
	27 In all of your works, trust your soul to faith. For this is the keeping of the commandments.
	28 Whoever believes God attends to the commandments. And whoever trusts in him will not be diminished.