BenSira:32

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* If thou be made the master [of a feast ,] lift not thyself up , but be among them as one of the rest ; take diligent care for them , and so sit down . * And when thou hast done all thy office , take thy place , that thou mayest be merry with them , and receive a crown for thy well ordering of the feast . * Speak , thou that art the elder , for it becometh thee , but with sound judgment ; and hinder not musick . * Pour not out words where there is a musician , and shew not forth wisdom out of time . * A concert of musick in a banquet of wine is as a signet of carbuncle set in gold . * As a signet of an emerald set in a work of gold , so is the melody of musick with pleasant wine . * Speak , young man , if there be need of thee : and yet scarcely when thou art twice asked . * Let thy speech be short , comprehending much in few words ; be as one that knoweth and yet holdeth his tongue . * If thou be among great men , make not thyself equal with them ; and when ancient men are in place , use not many words . * Before the thunder goeth lightning ; and before a shamefaced man shall go favour . * Rise up betimes , and be not the last ; but get thee home without delay . * There take thy pastime , and do what thou wilt : but sin not by proud speech . * And for these things bless him that made thee , and hath replenished thee with his good things . * Whoso feareth the Lord will receive his discipline ; and they that seek him early shall find favour . * He that seeketh the law shall be filled therewith : but the hypocrite will be offended thereat . * They that fear the Lord shall find judgment , and shall kindle justice as a light . * A sinful man will not be reproved , but findeth an excuse according to his will . * A man of counsel will be considerate ; but a strange and proud man is not daunted with fear , even when of himself he hath done without counsel . * Do nothing without advice ; and when thou hast once done , repent not . * Go not in a way wherein thou mayest fall , and stumble not among the stones . * Be not confident in a plain way . * And beware of thine own children . * In every good work trust thy own soul ; for this is the keeping of the commandments . * He that believeth in the Lord taketh heed to the commandment ; and he that trusteth in him shall fare never the worse .

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