Ecclesiasticus 32

Behavior at a Banquet

1If 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.[#John 2.8.]

2And 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.

3Speak, thou that art the elder, for it becometh thee, but with sound judgment; and hinder not music.

4Pour not out words where there is a musician, and show not forth wisdom out of time.

5A concert of music in a banquet of wine is as a signet of carbuncle set in gold.

6As a signet of an emerald set in a work of gold, so is the melody of music with pleasant wine.

7Speak, young man, if there be need of thee: and yet scarcely when thou art twice asked.[#Job 7.6.]

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

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

10Before the thunder goeth lightning; and before a shamefaced man shall go favor.

11Rise up betimes, and be not the last; but get thee home without delay.

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

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

The God-fearing Man Contrasted with the Sinner

14Whoso feareth the Lord will receive his discipline; and they that seek him early shall find favor.[#Job 5.17; Ecclus 18.14; Heb 12.5-7.]

15He that seeketh the law shall be filled therewith: but the hypocrite will be offended thereat.

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

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

18A 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.

19Do nothing without advice; and when thou hast once done, repent not.

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

21Be not confident in a plain way.

22And beware of thine own children.

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

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

King James Version 1611, spelling, punctuation and text formatting modernized by ABS in 1962; typesetting © 2010 American Bible Society.
Published by: American Bible Society