The Holy Scripture
Chapter XXXV
If 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.
ὁ συντηρῶν νόμον πλεονάζει προσφοράς θυσιάζων σωτηρίου ὁ προσέχων ἐντολαῖς
And 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.
ἀνταποδιδοὺς χάριν προσφέρων σεμίδαλιν καὶ ὁ ποιῶν ἐλεημοσύνην θυσιάζων αἰνέσεως
Speak, thou that art the elder, for it becometh thee, but with sound judgment; and hinder not music.
εὐδοκία κυρίου ἀποστῆναι ἀπὸ πονηρίας καὶ ἐξιλασμὸς ἀποστῆναι ἀπὸ ἀδικίας
Pour not out words where there is a musician, and shew not forth wisdom out of time.
μὴ ὀφθῇς ἐν προσώπῳ κυρίου κενός πάντα γὰρ ταῦτα χάριν ἐντολῆς
A concert of music in a banquet of wine is as a signet of carbuncle set in gold.
προσφορὰ δικαίου λιπαίνει θυσιαστήριον καὶ ἡ εὐωδία αὐτῆς ἔναντι ὑψίστου
As a signet of an emerald set in a work of gold, so is the melody of music with pleasant wine.
θυσία ἀνδρὸς δικαίου δεκτή καὶ τὸ μνημόσυνον αὐτῆς οὐκ ἐπιλησθήσεται
Speak, young man, if there be need of thee: and yet scarcely when thou art twice asked.
ἐν ἀγαθῷ ὀφθαλμῷ δόξασον τὸν κύριον καὶ μὴ σμικρύνῃς ἀπαρχὴν χειρῶν σου
Let thy speech be short, comprehending much in few words; be as one that knoweth and yet holdeth his tongue.
ἐν πάσῃ δόσει ἱλάρωσον τὸ πρόσωπόν σου καὶ ἐν εὐφροσύνῃ ἁγίασον δεκάτην
If thou be among great men, make not thyself equal with them; and when ancient men are in place, use not many words.
δὸς ὑψίστῳ κατὰ τὴν δόσιν αὐτοῦ καὶ ἐν ἀγαθῷ ὀφθαλμῷ καθ᾿ εὕρεμα χειρός
Before the thunder goeth lightning; and before a shamefaced man shall go favour.
ὅτι κύριος ἀνταποδιδούς ἐστιν καὶ ἑπταπλάσια ἀνταποδώσει σοι
Rise up betimes, and be not the last; but get thee home without delay.
μὴ δωροκόπει οὐ γὰρ προσδέξεται καὶ μὴ ἔπεχε θυσίᾳ ἀδίκῳ
There take thy pastime, and do what thou wilt: but sin not by proud speech.
ὅτι κύριος κριτής ἐστιν καὶ οὐκ ἔστιν παρ᾿ αὐτῷ δόξα προσώπου
And for these things bless him that made thee, and hath replenished thee with his good things.
οὐ λήμψεται πρόσωπον ἐπὶ πτωχοῦ καὶ δέησιν ἠδικημένου εἰσακούσεται
Whoso feareth the Lord will receive his discipline; and they that seek him early shall find favour.
οὐ μὴ ὑπερίδῃ ἱκετείαν ὀρφανοῦ καὶ χήραν ἐὰν ἐκχέῃ λαλιάν
He that seeketh 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
They 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
A sinful man will not be reproved, but findeth an excuse according to his will.
προσευχὴ ταπεινοῦ νεφέλας διῆλθεν καὶ ἕως συνεγγίσῃ οὐ μὴ παρακληθῇ
A 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.
καὶ οὐ μὴ ἀποστῇ ἕως ἐπισκέψηται ὁ ὕψιστος καὶ κρινεῖ δικαίοις καὶ ποιήσει κρίσιν
Do nothing without advice; and when thou hast once done, repent not.
καὶ ὁ κύριος οὐ μὴ βραδύνῃ οὐδὲ μὴ μακροθυμήσῃ ἐπ᾿ αὐτοῖς
Go not in a way wherein thou mayest fall, and stumble not among the stones.
ἕως ἂν συντρίψῃ ὀσφὺν ἀνελεημόνων καὶ τοῖς ἔθνεσιν ἀνταποδώσει ἐκδίκησιν
Be not confident in a plain way.
ἕως ἐξάρῃ πλῆθος ὑβριστῶν καὶ σκῆπτρα ἀδίκων συντρίψει
And beware of thine own children.
ἕως ἀνταποδῷ ἀνθρώπῳ κατὰ τὰς πράξεις αὐτοῦ καὶ τὰ ἔργα τῶν ἀνθρώπων κατὰ τὰ ἐνθυμήματα αὐτῶν
In every good work trust thy own soul; for this is the keeping of the commandments.
ἕως κρίνῃ τὴν κρίσιν τοῦ λαοῦ αὐτοῦ καὶ εὐφρανεῖ αὐτοὺς ἐν τῷ ἐλέει αὐτοῦ
He that believeth in the Lord taketh heed to the commandment; and he that trusteth in him shall fare never the worse.
ὡραῖον ἔλεος ἐν καιρῷ θλίψεως αὐτοῦ ὡς νεφέλαι ὑετοῦ ἐν καιρῷ ἀβροχίας