32
 1 Have they made thee ruler of a feast? 
Be not lifted up, 
Be thou among them as one of them; 
Take thought for them, and so sit down. 
 2 And when thou hast done all thy office, take thy place, 
That thou mayest be gladdened on their account, 
And receive a crown for thy well ordering. 
 3 Speak, thou that art the elder, for it becometh thee, but with sound knowledge; 
And hinder not music. 
 4 Pour not out talk where there is a performance of music, 
And display not thy wisdom out of season. 
 5  As a signet of carbuncle in a setting of gold, 
So is a concert of music in a banquet of wine. 
 6  As a signet of emerald in a work of gold, 
So is a strain of music with pleasant wine. 
 7 Speak, young man, if there be need of thee; 
Yet scarcely if thou be twice asked. 
 8 Sum up thy speech, many things in few words; 
Be as one that knoweth and yet holdeth his tongue. 
 9  If thou be among great men, behave not as their equal; 
And when another is speaking, make not much babbling. 
 10 Before thunder speedeth lightning; 
And before a shamefaced man favor shall go forth. 
 11 Rise up betimes, and be not the last; 
Get thee home quickly and loiter not: 
 12 There take thy pastime, and do what is in thy heart; 
And sin not by proud speech: 
 13 And for these things bless him that made thee, 
And giveth thee to drink freely of his good things. 
 14 He that feareth the Lord will receive his discipline; 
And they that seek him early shall find favor. 
 15 He that seeketh the law shall be filled therewith: 
But the hypocrite shall stumble thereat. 
 16 They that fear the Lord shall find judgment, 
And shall kindle righteous acts as a light. 
 17 A sinful man shunneth reproof, 
And will find a judgment according to his will. 
 18 A man of counsel will not neglect a thought; 
A strange and proud man will not crouch in fear, 
Even after he hath done a thing by himself without counsel. 
 19 Do nothing without counsel; 
And when thou hast once done, repent not. 
 20 Go not in a way of conflict; 
And stumble not in stony places. 
 21 Be not confident in a smooth way. 
 22 And beware of thine own children. 
 23 In every work trust thine own soul; 
For this is the keeping of the commandments. 
 24 He that believeth the law giveth heed to the commandment; 
And he that trusteth in the Lord shall suffer no loss.