Sirach 32

DOUAI-RHEIMS	NEW JERUSALEM
1 Have they made thee ruler? be not lifted up: 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 care of them, and so sit down, and when thou hast acquitted thyself of all thy charge, take thy place :	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 That thou mayst rejoice for them, and receive a crown as an ornament of grace, and get the honour of the contribution.	3 Speak, old man -- it is proper that you should -- but with discretion: do not spoil the music.
4 Speak, thou that art elder: for it becometh thee,	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 care knowledge, and hinder not music.	5 An amber seal on a precious stone, such is a concert of music at a wine feast.
6 Where there is no hearing, pour out words, and be not lifted up out season with thy wisdom.	6 An emerald seal in a golden setting, such are strains of music with a vintage wine.
7 ,7A concert of music in a banquet wine is as a carbuncle set in gold.	7 Speak, young man, when you must, but twice at most, and then only if questioned.
8 As a signet of an emerald in a work of gold: so is the melody of music with pleasant and moderate wine.	8 Keep to the point, say much in few words; give the impression of knowing but not wanting to speak.
9 Hear in silence, and for thy reverence good grace shall come to thee.	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, scarcely speak in thy own cause.	10 Lightning comes before the thunder, favour goes ahead of a modest person.
11 If thou be asked twice, let thy answer be short.	11 Leave in good time, do not bring up the rear, and hurry home without loitering.
12 In many things be as if thou wert ignorant, and hear in silence and withal seeking.	12 There amuse yourself, and do what you have a mind to, but do not sin by arrogant talk.
13 In the company of great men bake not upon thee: and when the ancients are present, speak not much.	13 And for all this bless your Creator, who intoxicates you with his favours.
14 Before a storm goeth lightning: and before shamefacedness goeth favour: and for thy reverence good grace shall come to thee.	14 Whoever fears the Lord wil accept his correction; those who look for him wil win his favour.
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.	15 Whoever seeks the Law wil be nourished by it, the hypocrite will find it a stumbling-block.
16 And do what thou hast a mind, but not in sin or proud 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, that made thee, and that replenisheth thee with all his good things.	17 The sinner waves reproof aside, he finds an excuse for headstrong behaviour.
18 He that feareth the Lord, will receive his discipline: and they that will seek him early, shall find a blessing.	18 A sensible person never scorns a warning; foreigners and the proud do not know about fear.
19 He that seeketh the law, shall be filled with it: and he that dealeth deceitfully, shall meet with a stumblingblock therein.	19 Never act without reflection, and you wil not regret your actions.
20 They that fear the Lord, shall find just judgment, and shall kindle justice as a light.	20 Do not venture on a rough road, for fear of stumbling over the stones.
21 A sinful man will flee reproof, and will find an excuse according to his will.	21 Do not be over-confident on an even road
22 A man of counsel will not neglect understanding, a strange and proud man will not dread fear:	22 and beware of your own children.
23 Even after he hath done with fear without counsel, he shall be controlled by the things of his own seeking.	23 Watch yourself in everything you do; this is also the way to keep the commandments.
24 My son, do thou nothing without counsel, and thou shalt not repent when thou hast done.	24 Anyone who trusts in the Law obeys its precepts, no one who has confidence in the Lord wil come toharm.
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.