the nobles refrained from talking and laid their hands on their mouths;
Look at me and be appalled, and lay your hand upon your mouth.
“They listened to me and waited and kept silence for my counsel.
the young men saw me and withdrew, and the aged rose up and stood;
“If one ventures a word with you, will you be offended? But who can keep from speaking?
“See, I am of small account; what shall I answer you? I lay my hand on my mouth.
“Therefore I will not restrain my mouth; I will speak in the anguish of my spirit; I will complain in the bitterness of my soul.
When words are many, transgression is not lacking, but the prudent are restrained in speech.
If you have been foolish, exalting yourself, or if you have been devising evil, put your hand on your mouth.
You must understand this, my beloved brothers and sisters: let everyone be quick to listen, slow to speak, slow to anger,
They said to him, “Keep quiet! Put your hand over your mouth, and come with us, and be to us a father and a priest. Is it better for you to be priest to the house of one person or to be priest to a tribe and clan in Israel?”