Sirach - Chapter 32

Passage

Have they made you ruler? be not lifted up: be among them as one of them. Have care of them, and so sit down, and when you have acquitted yourself of all your charge, take your place: That you may rejoice for them, and receive a crown as an ornament of grace, and get the honor of the contribution. Speak, you that are elder: for it becomes you, To speak the first word with careful knowledge, and hinder not music. Where there is no hearing, pour not out words, and be not lifted up out of season with your wisdom. A concert of music in a banquet of wine is as a carbuncle set in gold. As a signet of an emerald in a work of gold: so is the melody of music with pleasant and moderate wine. Hear in silence, and for your reverence good grace shall come to you. Young man, scarcely speak in your own cause. If you are asked twice, let your answer be short. In many things be as if you were ignorant, and hear in silence and withal seeking. In the company of great men take not upon you: and when the ancients are present, speak not much. Before a storm goes lightning: and before shamefacedness goes favor: and for your reverence good grace shall come to you. And at the time of rising be not slack: but be first to run home to your house, and there withdraw yourself, and there take your pastime. And do what you have a mind, but not in sin or proud speech. And for all these things bless the Lord, that made you, and that replenishes you with all his good things. He that fears the Lord, will receive his discipline: and they that will seek him early, shall find a blessing. He that seeks the law, shall be filled with it: and he that deals deceitfully, shall meet with a stumblingblock therein. They that fear the Lord, shall find just judgment, and shall kindle justice as a light. A sinful man will flee reproof, and will find an excuse according to his will. A man of counsel will not neglect understanding, a strange and proud man will not dread fear: Even after he has done with fear without counsel, he shall be controlled by the things of his own seeking. My son, do nothing without counsel, and you shall not repent when you have done. Go not in the way of ruin, and you shall not stumble against the stones: trust not yourself to a rugged way, lest you set a stumblingblock to your soul. And beware of your own children, and take heed of them of your household. In every work of your regard your soul in faith: for this is the keeping of the commandments. He that believes God, takes heed to the commandments: and he that trusts in him, shall fare never the worse.