Sirach 32

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1 Have they made thee ruler [of a feast? ] Be not lifted up, Be thou among them as one of them; Take thought for them, and so sit down. 2 And when thou hast done all thy office, take thy place, That thou mayest be gladdened on their account, And receive a crown for thy well ordering. 3 Speak, thou that art the elder, for it becometh thee, [but ] with sound knowledge; And hinder not music. 4 Pour not out talk where there is a performance of music, And display not thy wisdom out of season. 5 [As ] a signet of carbuncle in a setting of gold, [So ] is a concert of music in a banquet of wine. 6 [As ] a signet of emerald in a work of gold, [So ] is a strain of music with pleasant wine. 7 Speak, young man, if there be need of thee; [Yet ] scarcely if thou be twice asked. 8 Sum up thy speech, many things in few words; Be as one that knoweth and yet holdeth his tongue. 9 [If thou be ] among great men, behave not as their equal; And when another is speaking, make not much babbling. 10 Before thunder speedeth lightning; And before a shamefast man favour shall go forth. 11 Rise up betimes, and be not the last; Get thee home quickly and loiter not: 12 There take thy pastime, and do what is in thy heart; And sin not by proud speech: 13 And for these things bless him that made thee, And giveth thee to drink freely of his good things. 14 He that feareth the Lord will receive [his ] discipline; And they that seek [him ] early shall find favour. 15 He that seeketh the law shall be filled therewith: But the hypocrite shall stumble thereat. 16 They that fear the Lord shall find judgement, And shall kindle righteous acts as a light. 17 A sinful man shunneth reproof, And will find a judgement according to his will. 18 A man of counsel will not neglect a thought; A strange and proud man will not crouch in fear, Even after he hath done a thing by himself without counsel. 19 Do nothing without counsel; And when thou hast once done, repent not. 20 Go not in a way of conflict; And stumble not in stony places. 21 Be not confident in a smooth way. 22 And beware of thine own children. 23 In every work trust thine own soul; For this is the keeping of the commandments. 24 He that believeth the law giveth heed to the commandment; And he that trusteth in the Lord shall suffer no loss.

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