Sirach 13:9

9 When powerful people invite you, show yourself reluctant, and they will invite you all the more.

Sirach 13:9 In-Context

7 They will embarrass you with their fine foods, until they have cleaned you out two or three times over. In the end they will mock you, and after these things, they will see you and abandon you and shake their heads at you.

8 Take care that you don't go astray, and don't be humiliated by your own foolishness.

9 When powerful people invite you, show yourself reluctant, and they will invite you all the more.

10 Don't be forward, or you might be rejected; and don't stand far off, or you might be forgotten.

11 Don't think that you can speak with them as an equal, and don't trust in their lengthy conversations, because they will test you with a lot of talking; and when they are smiling, they are really examining you.