Chapter 32

32. If thou be made the master of a feast, lift not yourself up, but be among them as one of the rest, take diligent care of them, and so sit down, and when thou hast done all your office, take your place, that you may be merry with them, and receive a crown for your well ordering. Speak, thou that art the elder, for it becomes thee, but with sound judgment, and hinder not the musick, for where there is no hearing, pour not out words, and make not a shew of wisdom in an unseasonable time. A concert of musick in a banquet of wine is as a signet of carbuncle set in gold, and as a signet of an emerald set in a work of gold, so is the melody of musick with cheerful and sober wine. Speak, young man, if there be need of thee, and yet scarcely when you are twice asked, for be short, and take your time, and when you are asked, answer only with the word, and be not as one that knows all. Gather not into the hands of the ignorant, and be not greedy among the guests, for a man of understanding knows what is good for him, and he that is without understanding will not be satisfied. Rise up early when you have much to do, and be not the last to depart, for when the feast is done, be the first to depart for manners' sake, and be not greedy. Go home without delay, and there take your pastime, and do what you will, but sin not by proud speech, and be not as one that knows all. Bless him that made thee, and filled thee with his blessings, and a good man will be temperate in his life, and he that is not temperate will be despised. Whoever fears the Lord will receive discipline, and they that seek him early shall find favour, for he that seeks the Lord will be taught, and they that seek him early shall find favour. He that seeks the Lord will be taught, and they that seek him early shall find favor, for he that seeks the Lord will be taught, and they that seek him early shall find favor. Trust not in the way of a deceitful man, for you shall be despised, and be not as one that knows all, but he that gives heed to the law shall have the understanding thereof, and the fear of the Lord is a gift of the Lord. There shall no evil happen unto him that fears the Lord, but in temptation even again he will deliver him, and he will deliver him out of all trouble, and he will not be forsaken, and he will not be put to shame. A man of understanding will trust in the law, and the law is faithful unto him, as an oracle, and a man of understanding will be taught, and the law is faithful unto him, as an oracle.