Sirach 32

¹ Have they appointed you as a leader? Do not be willing to be extolled. Be among them as one of them.

² Have concern for them, and in this way sit down with them, and when you have explained all your concerns, sit back.

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 Speak, you who are greater by birth. For it is fitting for you

⁵ to speak the first word with careful knowledge. But you should not hinder the music.

⁶ Where no one is listening, you should not pour out words. And do not choose to be extolled improperly for your wisdom.

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 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 Listen silently, and for your reverence, good graces will be added to you.

¹⁰ Young man, speak in your own case only reluctantly.

¹¹ If you have been asked twice, let your response be concise.

¹² In many matters, be as if you lack knowledge, and listen silently as well as intently.

¹³ In the midst of great men, you should not be presumptuous. And where the elders are present, you should not speak much.

¹⁴ Lightning goes before a hailstorm, and grace goes before modesty. And so, for your reverence, good graces will be added to you.

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 And act according to your intentions, but not in sin and not in arrogant speech.

¹⁷ And for all these things, bless the Lord, who made you, and who fills you to overflowing with all his good things.

¹⁸ Whoever fears the Lord will accept his doctrine. And whoever watches for him diligently will find a blessing.

¹⁹ Whoever seeks the law will be filled from the law. But whoever acts with treachery will be scandalized by treachery.

²⁰ Those who fear the Lord will find just judgment, and they will kindle justice like a light.

²¹ A sinful man will shun correction, and he will find a rationalization in accord with his own will.

²² A man of counsel will not reject understanding. A strange and arrogant man will not be disturbed by fear.

²³ Even so, after he has acted out of fear and without counsel, he will be rebuked by his own criticism.

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.