Conduct at a Feast
Sirach 35
The chapter instructs a man who presides at a feast to serve others humbly rather than exalt himself, and counsels elders to speak with judgment while the young speak sparingly and respectfully. It then turns to praise of one who fears the Lord, keeps the law, and takes counsel and advice before acting, warning against pride and rash decisions.
About these editions
The Septuagint (LXX) in Greek, with Charles Thomson’s 1808 and Sir Lancelot Brenton’s 1851 English translations, set beside the King James Version and the Jewish Masoretic text (JPS 1917) where they align, so you can compare the Greek and the Hebrew. All public domain; choose which to show with the controls above.
Brenton 1851Septuagint
Greek · BrentonSeptuagint
1
BrentonIf thou be made the master [of a feast], lift not thyself up, but be among them as one of the rest; take diligent care for them, and so sit down.
GreekἩγούμενων σε κατέστησαν; μὴ ἐπαίρου, γίνου ἐν αὐτοῖς ὡς εἷς ἐξ αὐτῶν· φρόντισον αὐτῶν, καὶ οὕτω κάθισον,
2
BrentonAnd when thou hast done all thy office, take thy place, that thou mayest be merry with them, and receive a crown for thy well ordering of the feast.
Greekκαὶ πᾶσαν τὴν χρείαν σου ποιήσας ἀνάπεσε, ἵνα εὐφρανθῇς διʼ αὐτοὺς, καὶ εὐκοσμίας χάριν λάβῃς στέφανον.
3
BrentonSpeak, thou that art the elder, for it becometh thee, but with sound judgment; and hinder not music.
GreekΛάλησον πρεσβύτερε, πρέπει γάρ σοι, ἐν ἀκριβεῖ ἐπιστήμῃ, καὶ μὴ ἐμποδίσῃς μουσικά.
4
BrentonPour not out words where there is a musician, and shew not forth wisdom out of time.
GreekὍπου ἀκρόαμα, μὴ ἐκχέῃς λαλιὰν, καὶ ἀκαίρως μὴ σοφίζου.
5
BrentonA concert of music in a banquet of wine is as a signet of carbuncle set in gold.
GreekΣφραγὶς ἄνθρακος ἐπὶ κόσμῳ χρυσῷ, σύγκριμα μουσικῶν ἐν συμποσίῳ οἴνου.
6
BrentonAs a signet of an emerald set in a work of gold, so is the melody of music with pleasant wine.
GreekἘν κατασκευάσματι χρυσῷ σφραγὶς σμαράγδου μέλος μουσικῶν ἐφʼ ἡδεῖ οἴνῳ.
7
BrentonSpeak, young man, if there be need of thee: and yet scarcely when thou art twice asked.
GreekΛάλησον νεανίσκε εἰ χρεία σου, μόλις δὶς ἐὰν ἐπερωτηθῇς.
8
BrentonLet thy speech be short, comprehending much in few words; be as one that knoweth and yet holdeth his tongue.
GreekΚεφαλαίωσον λόγον, ἐν ὀλίγοις πολλὰ, γίνου ὡς γινώσκων καὶ ἅμα σιωπῶν.
9
BrentonIf thou be among great men, make not thyself equal with them; and when ancient men are in place, use not many words.
GreekἘν μέσῳ μεγιστάνων μὴ ἐξισάζου, καὶ ἑτέρου λέγοντος μὴ πολλὰ ἀδολέσχει.
10
BrentonBefore the thunder goeth lightning; and before a shamefaced man shall go favour.
GreekΠρὸ βροντῆς κατασπεύδει ἀστραπὴ, καὶ πρὸ αἰσχυντηροῦ προελεύσεται χάρις.
11
BrentonRise up betimes, and be not the last; but get thee home without delay.
GreekἘν ὥρᾳ ἐξεγείρου καὶ μὴ οὐράγει, ἀπότρεχε εἰς οἶκον καὶ μὴ ῥαθύμει.
12
BrentonThere take thy pastime, and do what thou wilt: but sin not by proud speech.
GreekἘκεῖ παῖζε καὶ ποίει τὰ ἐνθυμήματά σου, καὶ μὴ ἁμάρτῃς λόγῳ ὑπερηφάνῳ.
13
BrentonAnd for these things bless him that made thee, and hath replenished thee with his good things.
GreekΚαὶ ἐπὶ τούτοις εὐλόγησον τὸν ποιήσαντά σε, καὶ μεθύσκοντά σε ἀπὸ τῶν ἀγαθῶν αὐτοῦ.
14
BrentonWhoso feareth the Lord will receive his discipline; and they that seek him early shall find favour.
GreekὉ φοβούμενος Κύριον ἐκδέξεται παιδείαν, καὶ οἱ ὀρθρίζοντες εὑρήσουσιν εὐδοκίαν.
15
BrentonHe that seeketh the law shall be filled therewith: but the hypocrite will be offended thereat.
GreekὉ ζητῶν νόμον ἐμπλησθήσεται αὐτοῦ, καὶ ὁ ὑποκρινόμενος σκανδαλισθήσεται ἐν αὐτῷ.
16
BrentonThey that fear the Lord shall find judgment, and shall kindle justice as a light.
GreekΟἱ φοβούμενοι Κύριον εὑρήσουσι κρίμα, καὶ δικαιώματα ὡς φῶς ἐξάψουσιν.
17
BrentonA sinful man will not be reproved, but findeth an excuse according to his will.
GreekἌνθρωπος ἁμαρτωλὸς ἐκκλίνει ἐλεγμὸν, καὶ κατὰ τὸ θέλημα αὐτοῦ εὑρήσει σύγκριμα.
18
BrentonA man of counsel will be considerate; but a strange and proud man is not daunted with fear, even when of himself he hath done without counsel.
GreekἈνὴρ βουλῆς οὐ μὴ παρίδῃ διανόημα, ἀλλότριος καὶ ὑπερήφανος οὐ καταπτήξει φόβον, καὶ μετὰ τὸ ποιῆσαι μετʼ αὐτοῦ ἄνευ βουλῆς.
19
BrentonDo nothing without advice; and when thou hast once done, repent not.
GreekἌνευ βουλῆς μηθὲν ποιήσῃς, καὶ ἐν τῷ ποιῆσαί σε μὴ μεταμελοῦ.
20
BrentonGo not in a way wherein thou mayest fall, and stumble not among the stones.
GreekἘν ὁδῷ ἀντιπτώματος μὴ πορεύου, καὶ μὴ προσκόψῃς ἐν λιθώδεσι.
21
BrentonBe not confident in a plain way.
GreekΜὴ πιστεύσῃς ἐν ὁδῷ ἀπροσκόπῳ,
22
BrentonAnd beware of thine own children.
Greekκαὶ ἀπὸ τῶν τέκνων σου φύλαξαι.
23
BrentonIn every good work trust thy own soul; for this is the keeping of the commandments.
GreekἘν παντὶ ἔργῳ πίστευε τῇ ψυχῇ σου, καὶ γὰρ τοῦτό ἐστι τήρησις ἐντολῶν.
24
BrentonHe that believeth in the Lord taketh heed to the commandment; and he that trusteth in him shall fare never the worse.
GreekὉ πιστεύων νόμῳ προσέχει ἐντολαῖς, καὶ ὁ πεποιθὼς Κυρίῳ οὐκ ἐλαττωθήσεται.