"The princesstoppedtalkingAnd put[their] handson their mouths;
"Lookat me, and be astonished,And put[your] handover[your] mouth.
"To me they listenedand waited,And keptsilentfor my counsel.
The youngmensawme and hidthemselves, And the oldmenarose[and] stood.
"If one venturesa wordwith you, will you becomeimpatient?But whocanrefrainfrom speaking?
"Behold,I am insignificant;whatcan I replyto You? I laymy handon my mouth.
"ThereforeI will not restrainmy mouth;I will speakin the anguishof my spirit,I will complainin the bitternessof my soul.
When there are manywords,transgressionis unavoidable,But he who restrainshis lipsis wise.
Ifyou have beenfoolishin exaltingyourself Or ifyou have plotted[evil], [put your] handon your mouth.
[This] you know,my belovedbrethren.But everyonemust be quickto hear,slowto speak[and] slowto anger;
They saidto him, "Be silent,putyour handoveryour mouthand comewith us, and be to us a fatherand a priest.Is it betterfor you to be a priestto the houseof oneman,orto be priestto a tribeand a familyin Israel?"
