Sirach

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

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

³Then 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. ↗

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

¹⁵And 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. ↗

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

²⁵You 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. ↗

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

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

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