Ben Sira 32:2-12

2 Have care of them, and so sit down, and when thou hast acquitted thyself of all thy charge, take thy place :
3 That thou mayst rejoice for them, and receive a crown as an ornament of grace, and get the honour of the contribution.
4 Speak, thou that art elder: for it becometh thee,
5 To speak the first word with care knowledge, and hinder not music.
6 Where there is no hearing, pour out words, and be not lifted up out season with thy wisdom.
7 concert of music in a banquet wine is as a carbuncle set in gold.
8 As a signet of an emerald in a work of gold: so is the melody of music with pleasant and moderate wine.
9 Hear in silence, and for thy reverence good grace shall come to thee.
10 Young man, scarcely speak in thy own cause.
11 If thou be asked twice, let thy answer be short.
12 In many things be as if thou wert ignorant, and hear in silence and withal seeking.
The Douay-Rheims Bible is in the public domain.