The Wisdom of Jesus the Son of Sirach, or Ecclesiasticus 32

¹ If thou be made the master of a feast lift not thyself up but be among them as one of the rest take diligent care for them and so sit down ⚑

² And when thou hast done all thy office take thy place that thou mayest be merry with them and receive a crown for thy well ordering of the feast ⚑

³ Speak thou that art the elder for it becometh thee but with sound judgment and hinder not musick ⚑

⁴ Pour not out words where there is a musician and shew not forth wisdom out of time ⚑

⁵ A concert of musick in a banquet of wine is as a signet of carbuncle set in gold ⚑

⁶ As a signet of an emerald set in a work of gold so is the melody of musick with pleasant wine ⚑

⁷ Speak young man if there be need of thee and yet scarcely when thou art twice asked ⚑

⁸ Let thy speech be short comprehending much in few words be as one that knoweth and yet holdeth his tongue ⚑

⁹ If thou be among great men make not thyself equal with them and when ancient men are in place use not many words ⚑

¹⁰ Before the thunder goeth lightning and before a shamefaced man shall go favour ⚑

¹¹ Rise up betimes and be not the last but get thee home without delay ⚑

¹² There take thy pastime and do what thou wilt but sin not by proud speech ⚑

¹³ And for these things bless him that made thee and hath replenished thee with his good things ⚑

¹⁴ Whoso 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 will be offended thereat ⚑

¹⁶ They that fear the Lord shall find judgment and shall kindle justice as a light ⚑

¹⁷ A sinful man will not be reproved but findeth an excuse according to his will ⚑

¹⁸ A man of counsel will be considerate but a strange and proud man is not daunted with fear even when of himself he hath done without counsel ⚑

¹⁹ Do nothing without advice and when thou hast once done repent not ⚑

²⁰ Go not in a way wherein thou mayest fall and stumble not among the stones ⚑

²¹ Be not confident in a plain way ⚑

²² And beware of thine own children ⚑

²³ In every good work trust thy own soul for this is the keeping of the commandments ⚑

²⁴ He that believeth in the Lord taketh heed to the commandment and he that trusteth in him shall fare never the worse ⚑