Chapter 32
Lessons for superiors and inferiors. Advantages of fearing God, and doing nothing without counsel.
1Have they made thee ruler? be not lifted up: be among them as one of them.2Have care of them, and so sit down, and when thou hast acquitted thyself of all thy charge, take thy place:3That thou mayst rejoice for them, and receive a crown as an ornament of grace, and get the honour of the contribution.4Speak, thou that art elder: for it becometh thee,5To speak the first word with care knowledge, and hinder not music.6Where there is no hearing, pour not out words, and be not lifted up out season with thy wisdom.7A concert of music in a banquet of wine is as a carbuncle set in gold.8As a signet of an emerald in a work of gold: so is the melody of music with pleasant and moderate wine.9Hear in silence, and for thy reverence good grace shall come to thee.10Young man, scarcely speak in thy own cause.11If thou be asked twice, let thy answer be short.12In many things be as if thou wert ignorant, and hear in silence and withal seeking.13In the company of great men take not upon thee: and when the ancients are present, speak not much.14Before a storm goeth lightning: and before shamefacedness goeth favour: and for thy reverence good grace shall come to thee.15And at the time of rising be not slack: but be first to run home to thy house, and there withdraw thyself, and there take thy pastime.16And do what thou hast a mind, but not in sin or proud speech.17And for all these things bless the Lord, that made thee, and that replenisheth thee with all his good things.18He that feareth the Lord, will receive his discipline: and they that will seek him early, shall find a blessing.19He that seeketh the law, shall be filled with it: and he that dealeth deceitfully, shall meet with a stumblingblock therein.20They that fear the Lord, shall find just judgment, and shall kindle justice as a light.21A sinful man will flee reproof, and will find an excuse according to his will.22A man of counsel will not neglect understanding, a strange and proud man will not dread fear:23Even after he hath done with fear without counsel, he shall be controlled by the things of his own seeking.24My son, do thou nothing without counsel, and thou shalt not repent when thou hast done.25Go not in the way of ruin, and thou shalt not stumble against the stones; trust not thyself to a rugged way, lest thou set a stumblingblock to thy soul.26And beware of thy own children, and take heed of them of thy household.27In every work of thine regard thy soul in faith: for this is the keeping of the commandments.28He that believeth God, taketh heed to the commandments: and he that trusteth in him, shall fare never the worse.