CPDV - Sirach - 32

32:1  Have they appointed you as a leader? Do not be willing to be extolled. Be among them as one of them.

32:2  Have concern for them, and in this way sit down with them, and when you have explained all your concerns, sit back.

32:3  Then you may rejoice because of them, and you may receive a crown as an adornment of grace, and so obtain the dignity of the assembly.

32:4  Speak, you who are greater by birth. For it is fitting for you

32:5  to speak the first word with careful knowledge. But you should not hinder the music.

32:6  Where no one is listening, you should not pour out words. And do not choose to be extolled improperly for your wisdom.

32:7  A gemstone of garnet is set amid an ornament of gold, and a concert of music is set amid a banquet of wine.

32:8  Just as a signet of emerald is set amid a work of gold, so is a melody of music set amid delightful and moderate wine.

32:9  Listen silently, and for your reverence, good graces will be added to you.

32:10  Young man, speak in your own case only reluctantly.

32:11  If you have been asked twice, let your response be concise.

32:12  In many matters, be as if you lack knowledge, and listen silently as well as intently.

32:13  In the midst of great men, you should not be presumptuous. And where the elders are present, you should not speak much.

32:14  Lightning goes before a hailstorm, and grace goes before modesty. And so, for your reverence, good graces will be added to you.

32:15  And at the hour for rising, you should not be lax. Later, be the first to run ahead to your house, and there withdraw, and there take your pastime.

32:16  And act according to your intentions, but not in sin and not in arrogant speech.

32:17  And for all these things, bless the Lord, who made you, and who fills you to overflowing with all his good things.

32:18  Whoever fears the Lord will accept his doctrine. And whoever watches for him diligently will find a blessing.

32:19  Whoever seeks the law will be filled from the law. But whoever acts with treachery will be scandalized by treachery.

32:20  Those who fear the Lord will find just judgment, and they will kindle justice like a light.

32:21  A sinful man will shun correction, and he will find a rationalization in accord with his own will.

32:22  A man of counsel will not reject understanding. A strange and arrogant man will not be disturbed by fear.

32:23  Even so, after he has acted out of fear and without counsel, he will be rebuked by his own criticism.

32:24  Son, you should do nothing without counsel, and then you will not regret what you have done.

32:25  You should not go into the way of ruin, and you then will not stumble on stones. You should not commit yourself to a laborious way; otherwise, you may set up a scandal against your own soul.

32:26  And be cautious concerning your own sons. And be attentive to those of your own household.

32:27  In all of your works, trust your soul to faith. For this is the keeping of the commandments.

32:28  Whoever believes God attends to the commandments. And whoever trusts in him will not be diminished.