Ecclesiasticus
Ecclesiasticus 32
Chapter XXXII · Vol. III, p. 1570
1 Of his duty that is chief or master in a feast. 14 Of the fear of God. 18 Of counsel. 20 Of a rugged and smooth way. 23 Trust not to any but to thyself, and to God.
1 If thou be made 1the 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.
1 John 2. 8, 9.
2 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.
3 2Speak, thou that art the elder, for it becometh thee, but with sound judgment; and hinder not music.
2 Job 32. 7.
4 3Pour not out words where there is a musician, and shew not forth wisdom out of time.
3 Eccl. 3. 7. ch. 20. 7.
5 A concert of music in a banquet of wine is as a signet of carbuncle set in gold.
6 As a signet of an emerald set in a work of gold, so is the melody of music with pleasant wine.
7 Speak, young man, if there be need of thee: 4and yet scarcely when thou art twice asked.
4 James 1. 19.
8 Let thy speech be short, comprehending much in few words; be as one that knoweth and yet holdeth his tongue.
9 5If thou be among great men, make not thyself equal with them; and when ancient men are in place use not many words.
5 Job 32. 6.
10 Before the thunder goeth lightning; and before a shamefaced man shall go favour.
11 Rise up betimes, and be not the last; but get thee home without delay.
12 There take thy pastime, and do what thou wilt: 6but sin not by proud speech.
6 James 3. 2.
13 And for these things bless him 7that made thee, and hath replenished thee with his good things.
7 Ps. 100. 3.
14 Whoso feareth the Lord will receive his discipline; and they that 8seek him early shall find favour.
8 Ps. 63. 1.
15 He that seeketh the law shall be filled therewith: but the hypocrite will be offended thereat.
16 They that fear the Lord shall find judgment, and shall kindle justice as a light.
17 A sinful man will not be reproved, but findeth an excuse according to his will.
18 A man of counsel will be 9considerate; but a strange and proud man is not daunted with fear, even when of himself he hath done without counsel.
9 Hag. 1. 5, 7.
19 Do nothing without advice; and when thou hast once done, repent not.
20 Go not in a way wherein thou mayest fall, *and stumble not among the stones.
* Ps. 121. 3.
21 Be not confident in a plain way.
22 And beware of thy own children.
23 In every good work trust thy own soul; for this is the keeping of the commandments.
24 He that believeth in the Lord taketh heed to the commandment: and he that trusteth in him †shall fare never the worse.
† Or, shall not be hurt. Isa. 3. 10.