RV by section SIR 32:1

⌂ ← SIR 32:1–32:24 → ║ ©

THE WISDOM OF JESUS THE SON OF SIRACH, OR ECCLESIASTICUS. 32

32 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 [fn] 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.

32:21 Gr. without stumbling-blocks.