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Ecclesiasticus

  Chapter 32  

32:1 Have they made thee ruler? be not lifted up: be among them as one of them.

32:2 Have care of them, and so sit down, and when thou hast acquitted thyself of all thy charge, take thy place:

32:3 That thou mayst rejoice for them, and receive a crown as an ornament of grace, and get the honour of the contribution.

32:4 Speak, thou that art elder: for it becometh thee,

32:5 To speak the first word with careful knowledge, and hinder not music.

32:6 Where there is no hearing, pour not out words, and be not lifted up out of season with thy wisdom.

32:7 A concert of music in a banquet of wine is as a carbuncle set in gold.

32:8 As a signet of an emerald in a work of gold: so is the melody of music with pleasant and moderate wine.

32:9 Hear in silence, and for thy reverence good grace shall come to thee.

32:10 Young man, scarcely speak in thy own cause.

32:11 If thou be asked twice, let thy answer be short.

32:12 In many things be as if thou wert ignorant, and hear in silence and withal seeking.

32:13 In the company of great men take not upon thee: and when the ancients are present, speak not much.

32:14 Before a storm goeth lightning: and before shamefacedness goeth favour: and for thy reverence good grace shall come to thee.

32:15 And at the time of rising be not slack: but be first to run home to thy house, and there withdraw thyself, and there take thy pastime.

32:16 And do what thou hast a mind, but not in sin or proud speech.

32:17 And for all these things bless the Lord, that made thee, and that replenisheth thee with all his good things.

32:18 He that feareth the Lord, will receive his discipline: and they that will seek him early, shall find a blessing.

32:19 He that seeketh the law, shall be filled with it: and he that dealeth deceitfully, shall meet with a stumblingblock therein.

32:20 They that fear the Lord, shall find just judgment, and shall kindle justice as a light.

32:21 A sinful man will flee reproof, and will find an excuse according to his will.

32:22 A man of counsel will not neglect understanding, a strange and proud man will not dread fear:

32:23 Even after he hath done with fear without counsel, he shall be controlled by the things of his own seeking.

32:24 My son, do thou nothing without counsel, and thou shalt not repent when thou hast done.

32:25 Go not in the way of ruin, and thou shalt not stumble against the stones: trust not thyself to a rugged way, lest thou set a stumblingblock to thy soul.

32:26 And beware of thy own children, and take heed of them of thy household.

32:27 In every work of thine regard thy soul in faith: for this is the keeping of the commandments.

32:28 He that believeth God, taketh heed to the commandments: and he that trusteth in him, shall fare never the worse.