Sirach 32 - Contemporary English Version Interconfessional Edition

¹ If you are placed in charge of a dinner party, don't try to act important. Just make sure all the guests have what they need

² before you are seated. Then enjoy the dinner with everyone else, and they will honor you for a job well done.

³ If you are an older guest, it is right for you to talk. But be sure what you say is true, and don't talk during the music

⁴ or other entertainment. That is not the right time for clever remarks. *

⁵ Good wine and good music at a banquet

⁶ are like rubies and emeralds in settings of gold.

⁷ If you are a younger guest, don't talk unless someone asks you a question. Don't speak more than twice,

⁸ and say as much as you can in as few words as possible. This will show your knowledge and also your self-control.

⁹ Treat important people with proper respect, and don't chatter on and on if someone older is talking.

¹⁰ Lightning goes ahead of thunder, and if you are humble, you will be liked and accepted before you even arrive.

¹¹ Then later, at the proper time, just say goodbye and go home. Don't wait around to be the last to leave.

¹² At home, you can have fun doing whatever you want— but be careful not to sin by speaking with arrogance.

¹³ And give thanks to your Creator, who lets you enjoy all the good things he made.

Obey the Lord

¹⁴ If you obey the Lord, expect him to correct you, but do your best, and you will be accepted.

¹⁵ Sincerely studying God's Law will bring contentment, but if you are not sincere that Law will condemn you.

¹⁶ If you obey the Lord, you will be well known for justice and fairness.

¹⁷ But sinners refuse to be corrected, and they twist the Law so they can do whatever they please.

¹⁸ A wise person can take a hint, but even fear of great danger won't stop an arrogant fool.

¹⁹ Give plenty of thought to what you will do, and afterwards, don't worry about how well you did.

²⁰ Don't look for trouble, but learn from your mistakes.

²¹ It's easy to be careless on a smooth road,

²² so always pay attention to the path ahead.

²³ Think your actions through, and you will be able to obey the Lord's commands.

²⁴ If you believe in God's Law, then do what it says. Trust the Lord, and you will have success.