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Sirach 32

Old Testament · Brenton Septuagint with Greek parallel

Sirach chapter 32 is given here in full, verse by verse, in Sir Lancelot Brenton's classic English translation of the Septuagint (LXX), with the Greek text of the Septuagint set beneath each verse. The text follows the Septuagint tradition received throughout the Orthodox Church.

Patristic commentary for this chapter has not yet been attached. Related material may be found among the Church Fathers and the theology tables.

Sirach 32

1If you be made the master of a feast, lift not yourself up, but be among them as one of the rest; take diligent care for them, and so sit down.Ὁ συντήρων νόμον πλεονάζει προσφοράς· θυσιάζων σωτηρίου ὁ προσέχων ἐντολαῖς.

2And when you have done all your office, take your place, that you may be merry with them, and receive a crown for your well ordering of the feast.Ἀνταποδιδοὺς χάριν προσφέρων σεμίδαλιν, καὶ ὁ ποιῶν ἐλεημοσύνην θυσιάζων αἰνέσεως.

3Speak, you that are the elder, for it becomes you, but with sound judgment; and hinder not musick.Εὐδοκία Κυρίου ἀποστῆναι ἀπὸ πονηρίας, καὶ ἐξιλασμὸς ἀποστῆναι ἀπὸ ἀδικίας.

4Pour not out words where there is a musician, and show not forth wisdom out of time.Μὴ ὀφθῇς ἐν προσώπῳ Κυρίου κενὸς,

5A concert of musick in a banquet of wine is as a signet of carbuncle set in gold.πάντα γὰρ ταῦτα χάριν ἐντολῆς.

6As a signet of an emerald set in a work of gold, so is the melody of musick with pleasant wine.Προσφορὰ δικαίου λιπαίνει θυσιαστήριον, καὶ ἡ εὐωδία αὐτῆς ἔναντι ὑψίστου.

7Speak, young man, if there be need of you: and yet scarcely when you are twice asked.Θυσία ἀνδρὸς δικαίου δεκτὴ, καὶ τὸ μνημόσυνον αὐτῆς οὐκ ἐπιλησθήσεται.

8Let your speech be short, comprehending much in few words; be as one that knows and yet holds his tongue.Ἐν ἀγαθῷ ὀφθαλμῷ δόξασον τὸν Κύριον, καὶ μὴ σμικρύνῃς ἀπαρχὴν χειρῶν σου.

9If you be among great men, make not yourself equal with them; and when ancient men are in place, use not many words.Ἐν πάσῃ δόσει ἱλάρωσον τὸ πρόσωπόν σου, καὶ ἐν εὐφροσύνῃ ἁγίασον δεκάτην.

10Before the thunder goes lightning; and before a shamefaced man shall go favor.Δὸς ὑψίστῳ κατὰ τὴν δόσιν αὐτοῦ, καὶ ἐν ἀγαθῷ ὀφθαλμῷ καθεύρεμα χειρός.

11Rise up betimes, and be not the last; but get you home without delay.Ὅτι Κύριος ἀνταποδιδούς ἐστι, καὶ ἑπταπλάσια ἀνταποδώσει σοι.

12There take your pastime, and do what you will: but sin not by proud speech.Μὴ δωροκόπει, οὐ γὰρ προσδέξεται· καὶ μὴ ἔπεχε θυσίᾳ ἀδίκῳ, ὅτι Κύριος κριτής ἐστι, καὶ οὐκ ἔστι παρʼ αὐτῷ δόξα προσώπου.

13And for these things bless him that made you, and has replenished you with his good things.Οὐ λήψεται πρόσωπον ἐπὶ πτωχοῦ, καὶ δέησιν ἠδικημένου εἰσακούσεται.

14Whoso fears the Lord will receive his discipline; and they that seek him early shall find favor.Οὐ μὴ ὑπερίδῃ ἱκετείαν ὀρφανοῦ, καὶ χήραν ἐὰν ἐκχέῃ λαλιάν.

15He that seeks the law shall be filled therewith: but the hypocrite will be offended thereat.Οὐχὶ δάκρυα χήρας ἐπὶ σιαγόνα καταβαίνει, καὶ ἡ καταβόησις ἐπὶ τῷ καταγαγόντι αὐτά;

16They that fear the Lord shall find judgment, and shall kindle justice as a light.Θεραπεύων ἐν εὐδοκίᾳ δεχθήσεται, καὶ ἡ δέησις αὐτοῦ ἕως νεφελῶν συνάψει.

17A sinful man will not be reproved, but finds an excuse according to his will.Προσευχὴ ταπεινοῦ νεφέλας διῆλθε, καὶ ἕως συνεγγίσῃ οὐ μὴ παρακληθῇ, καὶ οὐ μὴ ἀποστῇ ἕως ἐπισκέψηται ὁ ὕψιστος· καὶ κρινεῖ δικαίως, καὶ ποιήσει κρίσιν.

18A man of counsel will be considerate; but a strange and proud man is not daunted with fear, even when of himself he has done without counsel.Καὶ ὁ Κύριος οὐ μὴ βραδύνῃ, οὐδὲ μὴ μακροθυμήσει ἐπʼ αὐτοῖς ἕως ἄν συντρίψῃ ὀσφὺν ἀνελεημόνων· καὶ τοῖς ἔθνεσιν ἀνταποδώσει ἐκδίκησιν, ἕως ἐξάρῃ πλῆθος ὑβριστῶν, καὶ σκῆπτρα ἀδίκων συντρίψῃ,

19Do nothing without advice; and when you have once done, repent not.ἕως ἀνταποδῷ ἀνθρώπῳ κατὰ τὰς πράξεις αὐτοῦ, καὶ τὰ ἔργα τῶν ἀνθρώπων κατὰ τὰ ἐνθυμήματα αὐτῶν, ἕως κρινῇ τὴν κρίσιν τοῦ λαοῦ αὐτοῦ, καὶ εὐφρανεῖ αὐτοὺς ἐν τῷ ἐλέει αὐτοῦ.

20Go not in a way wherein you may fall, and stumble not among the stones.Ὡραῖον ἔλεος ἐν καιρῷ θλίψεως αὐτοῦ, ὡς νεφέλαι ὑετοῦ ἐν καιρῷ ἀβροχίας.

21Be not confident in a plain way.

22And beware of your own children.

23In every good work trust your own soul; for this is the keeping of the commandments.

24He that believes in the Lord takes heed to the commandment; and he that trusts in him shall fare never the worse.

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