Proper Conduct at a Banquet

¹If they make you the master of ceremonies for a banquet, don’t become proud.

Act simply as one of the crowd.

²Take care of them first, and then sit down;

when you have fulfilled all your duties, take your seat.

Then you can celebrate with them

and receive a wreath for your fine leadership.

³You who are older should speak, for this is fitting.

But speak accurately, and don’t interrupt the music.

⁴If entertainment is going on, don’t keep talking.

Don’t show off your wisdom at the wrong time.

⁵A concert of music at a banquet

is like a ruby set in gold.

⁶Melodious music with good wine

is like an emerald seal set in gold.

⁷You who are young should only speak when necessary.

But never speak more than twice, and only when asked.

⁸Be brief; say much in only a few words.

Act like a person who can hold his tongue, even though he knows the answer.

⁹When you are around prestigious people, don’t act like their equal.

Don’t chatter on while another is speaking.

¹⁰Lightning comes before thunder,

and approval goes before a modest person.

¹¹Leave the banquet in good time, and don’t be the last to leave.

Go straight home; don’t linger on at the banquet.

¹²Enjoy yourself at the banquet to your heart’s content,

but don’t sin by speaking arrogantly.

¹³Above all, bless your Maker,

who causes you to experience his good gifts.

Obeying the Lord and His Law

¹⁴The one who fears the Lord will accept his discipline,

and those who rise early to seek him will find favor.

¹⁵The one who seeks the law will be filled with it,

but the hypocrite will stumble over it.

¹⁶Those who fear the Lord will think correctly;

their good deeds will shine forth like a fire.

¹⁷Sinners will ignore correction

and find a way to justify what they want to do.

¹⁸A sensible person will not neglect a thoughtful suggestion,

but not even fear will change the mind of an arrogant and proud person.

¹⁹Never do anything without getting advice;

then when you do something, don’t change your mind.

²⁰Don’t travel on a hazardous path,

and don’t stumble over its stones.

²¹Don’t be careless even on a smooth road;

²²watch where you are going.[#32:22 As in Hebrew; Greek reads beware of your children.]

²³Be careful in everything you do,[#32:23 As in Hebrew; Greek reads Trust yourself.]

for this is how a person keeps the commandments.

²⁴The one who believes the law is careful to obey the commandments,

and the one who trusts in the Lord will never fare for the worse.