Sirach 32

1Did they appoint you as leader of the banquet? Do not exalt yourself. Among them be as one of them. Take care of them and only then be seated.

ἡγούμενόν σε κατέστησαν μὴ ἐπαίρου γίνου ἐν αὐτοῖς ὡς εἷς ἐξ αὐτῶν φρόντισον αὐτῶν καὶ οὕτω κάθισον

2Then having fulfilled all your duties, take your place, That you may make merry for their sake, And receive a crown because of your orderly behavior.

καὶ πᾶσαν τὴν χρείαν σου ποιήσας ἀνάπεσε ἵνα εὐφρανθῇς δι᾿ αὐτοὺς καὶ εὐκοσμίας χάριν λάβῃς στέφανον

3Speak, O elder, for this is fitting for you to do so with accurate knowledge; But do not interrupt the music.

λάλησον πρεσβύτερε πρέπει γάρ σοι ἐν ἀκριβεῖ ἐπιστήμῃ καὶ μὴ ἐμποδίσῃς μουσικά

4Where there is entertainment, do not pour out talk, And do not display your cleverness at the wrong time.

ὅπου ἀκρόαμα μὴ ἐκχέῃς λαλιὰν καὶ ἀκαίρως μὴ σοφίζου

5A concert of music at a banquet of wine Is like a seal of ruby in a gold ornament.

σφραγὶς ἄνθρακος ἐπὶ κόσμῳ χρυσῷ σύγκριμα μουσικῶν ἐν συμποσίῳ οἴνου

6A seal of emerald in a gold setting Is the melody of music with delicious wine.

ἐν κατασκευάσματι χρυσῷ σφραγὶς σμαράγδου μέλος μουσικῶν ἐφ᾿ ἡδεῖ οἴνῳ

7Speak, young man, if there is need of you, But no more than twice, and only if you are asked repeatedly.

λάλησον νεανίσκε εἰ χρεία σου μόλις δὶς ἐὰν ἐπερωτηθῇς

8Be brief; say much in a few words. Act like a man who knows, yet holds his tongue.

κεφαλαίωσον λόγον ἐν ὀλίγοις πολλά γίνου ὡς γινώσκων καὶ ἅμα σιωπῶν

9Among the great do not act as their equal, And when another is speaking, do little talking.

ἐν μέσῳ μεγιστάνων μὴ ἐξισάζου καὶ ἑτέρου λέγοντος μὴ πολλὰ ἀδολέσχει

10Lightning flashes before thunder, And favor goes before a modest man.

πρὸ βροντῆς κατασπεύδει ἀστραπή καὶ πρὸ αἰσχυντηροῦ προελεύσεται χάρις

11Rise to leave in good time, and do not lag behind.

ἐν ὥρᾳ ἐξεγείρου καὶ μὴ οὐράγει ἀπότρεχε εἰς οἶκον καὶ μὴ ῥᾳθύμει

12Run home and do not be remiss. Amuse yourself there, and do what you intend, But do not sin by speaking arrogantly;

ἐκεῖ παῖζε καὶ ποίει τὰ ἐνθυμήματά σου καὶ μὴ ἁμάρτῃς λόγῳ ὑπερηφάνῳ

13And for these things, bless Him who created you And satisfies you with His good things.

καὶ ἐπὶ τούτοις εὐλόγησον τὸν ποιήσαντά σε καὶ μεθύσκοντά σε ἀπὸ τῶν ἀγαθῶν αὐτοῦ

14The man who fears the Lord will receive instruction, And those who rise early will find His approval.

ὁ φοβούμενος κύριον ἐκδέξεται παιδείαν καὶ οἱ ὀρθρίζοντες εὑρήσουσιν εὐδοκίαν

15He who seeks the Law will be filled with it, But the hypocrite will be made to stumble by it.

ὁ ζητῶν νόμον ἐμπλησθήσεται αὐτοῦ καὶ ὁ ὑποκρινόμενος σκανδαλισθήσεται ἐν αὐτῷ

16Those who fear the Lord will discover judgment, And like the light they will kindle righteous deeds.

οἱ φοβούμενοι κύριον εὑρήσουσιν κρίμα καὶ δικαιώματα ὡς φῶς ἐξάψουσιν

17A sinful man will turn aside correction And find a rationalization according to his will.

ἄνθρωπος ἁμαρτωλὸς ἐκκλινεῖ ἐλεγμὸν καὶ κατὰ τὸ θέλημα αὐτοῦ εὑρήσει σύγκριμα

18A man of counsel will not neglect thought, But a strange and arrogant man does not tremble in fear.

ἀνὴρ βουλῆς οὐ μὴ παρίδῃ διανόημα ἀλλότριος καὶ ὑπερήφανος οὐ καταπτήξει φόβον

19Do nothing without counsel, And when you have acted, do not regret it.

ἄνευ βουλῆς μηθὲν ποιήσῃς καὶ ἐν τῷ ποιῆσαί σε μὴ μεταμελοῦ

20Do not walk a path filled with obstacles, And do not trip over stony ground.

ἐν ὁδῷ ἀντιπτώματος μὴ πορεύου καὶ μὴ προσκόψῃς ἐν λιθώδεσιν

21Do not put your trust in an unexplored way,

μὴ πιστεύσῃς ἐν ὁδῷ ἀπροσκόπῳ

22And keep watch because of your children.

καὶ ἀπὸ τῶν τέκνων σου φύλαξαι

23In every work entrust your soul to the Lord, For this is the keeping of the commandments.

ἐν παντὶ ἔργῳ πίστευε τῇ ψυχῇ σου καὶ γὰρ τοῦτό ἐστιν τήρησις ἐντολῶν

24He who believes in the Law heeds the commandments, And he who trusts in the Lord will not suffer loss. Evil will not befall the man who fears the Lord, But in trial He will deliver him again and again.

ὁ πιστεύων νόμῳ προσέχει ἐντολαῖς καὶ ὁ πεποιθὼς κυρίῳ οὐκ ἐλαττωθήσεται