Sirach 32

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 Having discharged your duties, take your place so that your joy may be through theirs, and you mayreceive the crown for your competence.

³ Speak, old man -- it is proper that you should -- but with discretion: do not spoil the music.

⁴ If someone is singing, do not ramble on and do not play the sage at the wrong moment.

⁵ An amber seal on a precious stone, such is a concert of music at a wine feast.

⁶ An emerald seal in a golden setting, such are strains of music with a vintage wine.

⁷ Speak, young man, when you must, but twice at most, and then only if questioned.

⁸ Keep to the point, say much in few words; give the impression of knowing but not wanting to speak.

⁹ Among eminent people do not behave as though you were their equal; do not make frivolous remarkswhen someone else is speaking.

¹⁰ Lightning comes before the thunder, favour goes ahead of a modest person.

¹¹ Leave in good time, do not bring up the rear, and hurry home without loitering.

¹² There amuse yourself, and do what you have a mind to, but do not sin by arrogant talk.

¹³ And for all this bless your Creator, who intoxicates you with his favours.

¹⁴ Whoever fears the Lord wil accept his correction; those who look for him wil win his favour.

¹⁵ Whoever seeks the Law wil be nourished by it, the hypocrite will find it a stumbling-block.

¹⁶ Those who fear the Lord win his approval, their good deeds shining like a light.

¹⁷ The sinner waves reproof aside, he finds an excuse for headstrong behaviour.

¹⁸ A sensible person never scorns a warning; foreigners and the proud do not know about fear.

¹⁹ Never act without reflection, and you wil not regret your actions.

²⁰ Do not venture on a rough road, for fear of stumbling over the stones.

²¹ Do not be over-confident on an even road

²² and beware of your own children.

²³ Watch yourself in everything you do; this is also the way to keep the commandments.

²⁴ Anyone who trusts in the Law obeys its precepts, no one who has confidence in the Lord wil come toharm.