Wisdom of Sirach 35

If thou be made the master [of a feast], lift not thyself up, but be among them as one of the rest; take diligent care for them, and so sit down.

Ἡγούμενων σε κατέστησαν; μὴ ἐπαίρου, γίνου ἐν αὐτοῖς ὡς εἷς ἐξ αὐτῶν· φρόντισον αὐτῶν, καὶ οὕτω κάθισον,

And when thou hast done all thy office, take thy place, that thou mayest be merry with them, and receive a crown for thy well ordering of the feast.

καὶ πᾶσαν τὴν χρείαν σου ποιήσας ἀνάπεσε, ἵνα εὐφρανθῇς διʼ αὐτοὺς, καὶ εὐκοσμίας χάριν λάβῃς στέφανον.

Speak, thou that art the elder, for it becometh thee, but with sound judgment; and hinder not music.

Λάλησον πρεσβύτερε, πρέπει γάρ σοι, ἐν ἀκριβεῖ ἐπιστήμῃ, καὶ μὴ ἐμποδίσῃς μουσικά.

Pour not out words where there is a musician, and shew not forth wisdom out of time.

Ὅπου ἀκρόαμα, μὴ ἐκχέῃς λαλιὰν, καὶ ἀκαίρως μὴ σοφίζου.

A concert of music in a banquet of wine is as a signet of carbuncle set in gold.

Σφραγὶς ἄνθρακος ἐπὶ κόσμῳ χρυσῷ, σύγκριμα μουσικῶν ἐν συμποσίῳ οἴνου.

As a signet of an emerald set in a work of gold, so is the melody of music with pleasant wine.

Ἐν κατασκευάσματι χρυσῷ σφραγὶς σμαράγδου μέλος μουσικῶν ἐφʼ ἡδεῖ οἴνῳ.

Speak, young man, if there be need of thee: and yet scarcely when thou art twice asked.

Λάλησον νεανίσκε εἰ χρεία σου, μόλις δὶς ἐὰν ἐπερωτηθῇς.

Let thy speech be short, comprehending much in few words; be as one that knoweth and yet holdeth his tongue.

Κεφαλαίωσον λόγον, ἐν ὀλίγοις πολλὰ, γίνου ὡς γινώσκων καὶ ἅμα σιωπῶν.

If thou be among great men, make not thyself equal with them; and when ancient men are in place, use not many words.

Ἐν μέσῳ μεγιστάνων μὴ ἐξισάζου, καὶ ἑτέρου λέγοντος μὴ πολλὰ ἀδολέσχει.

Before the thunder goeth lightning; and before a shamefaced man shall go favour.

Πρὸ βροντῆς κατασπεύδει ἀστραπὴ, καὶ πρὸ αἰσχυντηροῦ προελεύσεται χάρις.

Rise up betimes, and be not the last; but get thee home without delay.

Ἐν ὥρᾳ ἐξεγείρου καὶ μὴ οὐράγει, ἀπότρεχε εἰς οἶκον καὶ μὴ ῥαθύμει.

There take thy pastime, and do what thou wilt: but sin not by proud speech.

Ἐκεῖ παῖζε καὶ ποίει τὰ ἐνθυμήματά σου, καὶ μὴ ἁμάρτῃς λόγῳ ὑπερηφάνῳ.

And for these things bless him that made thee, and hath replenished thee with his good things.

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

Whoso feareth the Lord will receive his discipline; and they that seek him early shall find favour.

Ὁ φοβούμενος Κύριον ἐκδέξεται παιδείαν, καὶ οἱ ὀρθρίζοντες εὑρήσουσιν εὐδοκίαν.

He that seeketh the law shall be filled therewith: but the hypocrite will be offended thereat.

Ὁ ζητῶν νόμον ἐμπλησθήσεται αὐτοῦ, καὶ ὁ ὑποκρινόμενος σκανδαλισθήσεται ἐν αὐτῷ.

They that fear the Lord shall find judgment, and shall kindle justice as a light.

Οἱ φοβούμενοι Κύριον εὑρήσουσι κρίμα, καὶ δικαιώματα ὡς φῶς ἐξάψουσιν.

A sinful man will not be reproved, but findeth an excuse according to his will.

Ἄνθρωπος ἁμαρτωλὸς ἐκκλίνει ἐλεγμὸν, καὶ κατὰ τὸ θέλημα αὐτοῦ εὑρήσει σύγκριμα.

A man of counsel will be considerate; but a strange and proud man is not daunted with fear, even when of himself he hath done without counsel.

Ἀνὴρ βουλῆς οὐ μὴ παρίδῃ διανόημα, ἀλλότριος καὶ ὑπερήφανος οὐ καταπτήξει φόβον, καὶ μετὰ τὸ ποιῆσαι μετʼ αὐτοῦ ἄνευ βουλῆς.

Do nothing without advice; and when thou hast once done, repent not.

Ἄνευ βουλῆς μηθὲν ποιήσῃς, καὶ ἐν τῷ ποιῆσαί σε μὴ μεταμελοῦ.

Go not in a way wherein thou mayest fall, and stumble not among the stones.

Ἐν ὁδῷ ἀντιπτώματος μὴ πορεύου, καὶ μὴ προσκόψῃς ἐν λιθώδεσι.

Be not confident in a plain way.

Μὴ πιστεύσῃς ἐν ὁδῷ ἀπροσκόπῳ,

And beware of thine own children.

καὶ ἀπὸ τῶν τέκνων σου φύλαξαι.

In every good work trust thy own soul; for this is the keeping of the commandments.

Ἐν παντὶ ἔργῳ πίστευε τῇ ψυχῇ σου, καὶ γὰρ τοῦτό ἐστι τήρησις ἐντολῶν.

He that believeth in the Lord taketh heed to the commandment; and he that trusteth in him shall fare never the worse.

Ὁ πιστεύων νόμῳ προσέχει ἐντολαῖς, καὶ ὁ πεποιθὼς Κυρίῳ οὐκ ἐλαττωθήσεται.