Sirach 32

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