Eclesiástico/Ben Sirá 32

EL LIBRO DEL PUEBLO DE DIOS	CATHOLIC PUBLIC DOMAIN
1 ¿Te toca presidir la mesa? No te envanezcas: compórtate con los demás como uno de ellos y atiéndelos bien antes de sentarte.	1 Have they appointed you as a leader? Do not be willing to be extolled. Be among them as one of them.
2 Una vez cumplido todo tu oficio, ocupa tu puesto para alegrarte a causa de los comensales y verte coronado porque todo está en orden.	2 Have concern for them, and in this way sit down with them, and when you have explained all your concerns, sit back.
3 Habla, anciano, porque te corresponde hacerlo, pero con discreción y sin interrumpir la música.	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 Mientras se escucha, no te pongas a charlar ni te hagas el sabio fuera de tiempo	4 Speak, you who are greater by birth. For it is fitting for you
5 Sello de rubí en una alhaja de oro es un concierto musical mientras se bebe vino;	5 to speak the first word with careful knowledge. But you should not hinder the music.
6 sello de esmeralda en un engaste de oro es la música melodiosa sobre la dulzura del vino.	6 Where no one is listening, you should not pour out words. And do not choose to be extolled improperly for your wisdom.
7 Habla, joven, cuando sea necesario, pero dos veces a lo más, y si te preguntan.	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 Habla concisamente, di mucho en pocas palabras: sé como uno que sabe y sin embargo se calla.	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 En medio de los grandes, no pretendas igualarlos, y si otro habla, sé parco en tus palabras.	9 Listen silently, and for your reverence, good graces will be added to you.
10 El relámpago brilla antes del trueno y el encanto precede al hombre modesto.	10 Young man, speak in your own case only reluctantly.
11 Levántate a tiempo, se seas el último en irte, ve derecho a tu casa, sin entretenerte por el camino.	11 If you have been asked twice, let your response be concise.
12 Diviértete allí como más te guste, pero sin pecar con palabras arrogantes.	12 In many matters, be as if you lack knowledge, and listen silently as well as intently.
13 Y por todo eso, bendice a tu Creador, que te embriaga con sus bienes.	13 In the midst of great men, you should not be presumptuous. And where the elders are present, you should not speak much.
14 El que teme al Señor acepta ser instruido y los que lo buscan ardientemente alcanzarán su favor.	14 Lightning goes before a hailstorm, and grace goes before modesty. And so, for your reverence, good graces will be added to you.
15 El que busca la Ley se saciará de ella, pero al que finge observarla le sirve de tropiezo.	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 Los que temen al Señor descubren lo que es recto y hacen brillar sus preceptos como una lámpara.	16 And act according to your intentions, but not in sin and not in arrogant speech.
17 El hombre pecador no tolera ningún reproche y encuentra pretextos para hacer lo que quiere.	17 And for all these things, bless the Lord, who made you, and who fills you to overflowing with all his good things.
18 El hombre de consejo no descuida la reflexión; el impío y el arrogante proceden temerariamente.	18 Whoever fears the Lord will accept his doctrine. And whoever watches for him diligently will find a blessing.
19 No hagas nada sin el debido consejo y no te arrepentirás de tus acciones.	19 Whoever seeks the law will be filled from the law. But whoever acts with treachery will be scandalized by treachery.
20 No vayas por un camino lleno de obstáculos y no tropezarás contra las piedras.	20 Those who fear the Lord will find just judgment, and they will kindle justice like a light.
21 No te fíes del camino despejado	21 A sinful man will shun correction, and he will find a rationalization in accord with his own will.
22 y cuídate hasta de tus hijos.	22 A man of counsel will not reject understanding. A strange and arrogant man will not be disturbed by fear.
23 En todo lo que hagas, sé fiel a ti mismo, porque también eso es observar los mandamientos.	23 Even so, after he has acted out of fear and without counsel, he will be rebuked by his own criticism.
24 El que confía en la Ley presta atención a los mandamientos y el que confía en el Señor no sufrirá menoscabo.	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.