Sirach · Revised Version with Apocrypha
Sirach 32 Revised Version with Apocrypha
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.
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 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.
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, thou that art the elder, for it becometh thee, [but ] with sound knowledge; And hinder not music.
3 Speak, you who are older, for it’s your right, but with sound knowledge; and don’t interrupt the music.
4 Pour not out talk where there is a performance of music, And display not thy wisdom out of season.
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 signet of carbuncle in a setting of gold, [So ] is a concert of music in a banquet of wine.
5 As a ruby signet in a setting of gold, so is a music concert at a wine banquet.
6 [As ] a signet of emerald in a work of gold, [So ] is a strain of music with pleasant wine.
6 As an emerald signet in a work of gold, so is musical melody with pleasant wine.
7 Speak, young man, if there be need of thee; [Yet ] scarcely if thou be twice asked.
7 Speak, young man, if you are obliged to, but no more than twice, and only if asked.
8 Sum up thy speech, many things in few words; Be as one that knoweth and yet holdeth his tongue.
8 Sum up your speech, many things in few words. Be as one who knows and yet holds his tongue.
9 [If thou be ] among great men, behave not as their equal; And when another is speaking, make not much babbling.
9 When among great men, don’t behave as their equal. When another is speaking, don’t babble.
10 Before thunder speedeth lightning; And before a shamefast man favour shall go forth.
10 Lightning speeds before thunder. Approval goes before one who is modest.
11 Rise up betimes, and be not the last; Get thee home quickly and loiter not:
11 Rise up in good time, and don’t be last. Go home quickly and don’t loiter
12 There take thy pastime, and do what is in thy heart; And sin not by proud speech:
12 Amuse yourself there and do what is in your heart. Don’t sin by proud speech.
13 And for these things bless him that made thee, And giveth thee to drink freely of his good things.
13 For these things bless your Maker, who gives you 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.
14 He who fears the Lord will receive discipline. Those who seek him early will find favor.
15 He that seeketh the law shall be filled therewith: But the hypocrite shall stumble thereat.
15 He who seeks the law shall be filled with it, but the hypocrite will stumble at it.
16 They that fear the Lord shall find judgement, And shall kindle righteous acts as a light.
16 Those who fear the Lord will find true judgment, and will kindle righteous acts like a light.
17 A sinful man shunneth reproof, And will find a judgement according to his will.
17 A sinful man shuns reproof, and will find a judgment 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.
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; And when thou hast once done, repent not.
19 Do nothing without counsel, but when you have acted, don’t regret it.
20 Go not in a way of conflict; And stumble not in stony places.
20 Don’t go in a way of conflict. Don’t stumble in stony places.
21 Be not confident in a smooth way.
21 Don’t be overconfident on a smooth road.
22 And beware of thine own children.
22 Beware of your own children.
23 In every work trust thine own soul; For this is the keeping of the commandments.
23 In every work guard your 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.
24 He who believes the law gives heed to the commandment. He who trusts in the Lord will suffer no loss.