Sirach 32

¹If you are placed in charge

of a dinner party,

don't try to act important.

Just make sure all the guests

have what they need

²before you are seated.

Then enjoy the dinner

with everyone else,

and they will honor you

for a job well done.

³If you are an older guest,

it is right for you to talk.

But be sure what you say is true,

and don't talk during the music

⁴or other entertainment.

That is not the right time

for clever remarks.

*

⁵Good wine and good music

at a banquet

⁶are like rubies and emeralds

in settings of gold.

⁷If you are a younger guest,

don't talk unless someone

asks you a question.

Don't speak more than twice,

⁸and say as much as you can

in as few words as possible.

This will show your knowledge

and also your self-control.

⁹Treat important people

with proper respect,

and don't chatter on and on

if someone older is talking.

¹⁰Lightning goes ahead of thunder,

and if you are humble,

you will be liked and accepted

before you even arrive.

¹¹Then later, at the proper time,

just say goodbye and go home.

Don't wait around

to be the last to leave.

¹²At home, you can have fun

doing whatever you want—

but be careful not to sin

by speaking with arrogance.

¹³And give thanks to your Creator,

who lets you enjoy

all the good things he made.

Obey the Lord

¹⁴If you obey the Lord,

expect him to correct you,

but do your best,

and you will be accepted.

¹⁵Sincerely studying God's Law

will bring contentment,

but if you are not sincere

that Law will condemn you.

¹⁶If you obey the Lord,

you will be well known

for justice and fairness.

¹⁷But sinners refuse

to be corrected,

and they twist the Law

so they can do

whatever they please.

¹⁸A wise person can take a hint,

but even fear of great danger

won't stop an arrogant fool.

¹⁹Give plenty of thought

to what you will do,

and afterwards, don't worry

about how well you did.

²⁰Don't look for trouble,

but learn from your mistakes.

²¹It's easy to be careless

on a smooth road,

²²so always pay attention

to the path ahead.

²³Think your actions through,[#32.23 Hebrew; Greek “Trust yourself.”]

and you will be able

to obey the Lord's commands.

²⁴If you believe in God's Law,

then do what it says.

Trust the Lord,

and you will have success.