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The Book of Jesus Sirach

⭑ World English Bible Catholic :: King James Version ⭑

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- Chapter 32 -

Lessons for superiors and inferiors. Advantages of fearing God, and doing nothing without counsel.

1
Have they made you ruler of a feast? Don’t be lifted up. Be among them as one of them. Take care of them first, and then sit down.
2
And when you have done all your duties, take your place, that you may be gladdened on their account, and receive a wreath for your good service.
3
Speak, you who are older, for it’s your right, but with sound knowledge; and don’t interrupt the music.
4
Don’t pour out talk where there is a performance of music. Don’t display your wisdom at the wrong time.
5
As a ruby signet in a setting of gold, so is a music concert at a wine banquet.
6
As an emerald signet in a work of gold, so is musical melody with pleasant wine.
7
Speak, young man, if you are obliged to, but no more than twice, and only if asked.
8
Sum up your speech, many things in few words. Be as one who knows and yet holds his tongue.
9
When among great men, don’t behave as their equal. When another is speaking, don’t babble.
10
Lightning speeds before thunder. Approval goes before one who is modest.
11
Rise up in good time, and don’t be last. Go home quickly and don’t loiter
12
Amuse yourself there and do what is in your heart. Don’t sin by proud speech.
13
For these things bless your Maker, who gives you to drink freely of his good things.
14
He who fears the Lord will receive discipline. Those who seek him early will find favor.
15
He who seeks the law shall be filled with it, but the hypocrite will stumble at it.
16
Those who fear the Lord will find true judgment, and will kindle righteous acts like a light.
17
A sinful man shuns reproof, and will find a judgment according to his will.
18
A sensible person won’t neglect a thought. An insolent and proud man won’t crouch in fear, even after he has done a thing by himself without counsel.
19
Do nothing without counsel, but when you have acted, don’t regret it.
20
Don’t go in a way of conflict. Don’t stumble in stony places.
21
Don’t be overconfident on a smooth road.
22
Beware of your own children.
23
In every work guard your own soul, for this is the keeping of the commandments.
24
He who believes the law gives heed to the commandment. He who trusts in the Lord will suffer no loss.

Lessons for superiors and inferiors. Advantages of fearing God, and doing nothing without counsel.

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.
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