Chapter 32 continues the banquet theme from chapter 31, offering advice to the master of the feast and to guests about proper behavior -- when to speak, when to listen, when to leave. The chapter then transitions to a broader meditation on the value of seeking God through the law, the importance of deliberation before action, and trust in God on the road of life.
The banquet advice (vv. 1-13) is socially specific to a degree rare in ancient literature: the toastmaster should not exalt himself, the elder should speak first but briefly, the young should speak only when asked twice. The comparison of music at a banquet to 'a ruby set in gold' (v. 7) is exquisitely crafted. The transition to Torah-study (vv. 14-24) grounds social etiquette in theological commitment: the same prudence that governs a banquet should govern one's approach to God's law. The closing image of God as protector of those who seek him (v. 24) provides a warm conclusion.
The hierarchical social assumptions -- elders speak first, youth speaks only when invited -- reflect a stratified society. The advice is practical but culturally bound. The chapter's movement from banquet etiquette to Torah study may feel disjointed, though Ben Sira's point is that wisdom governs all contexts equally.
Proverbs 25:6-7 (do not put yourself forward in the king's presence -- echoed by Jesus in Luke 14:7-11); Psalm 119:105 (your word is a lamp to my feet); Proverbs 3:5-6 (trust in the Lord with all your heart); Psalm 27:11 (teach me your way, O Lord).
Rectorem te posuerunt noli extolli esto in illis quasi unus ex ipsis.
Have they made you master of the feast? Do not exalt yourself. Be among them as one of them.
The symposiarch or toastmaster who directed the entertainment and regulated the drinking at a Hellenistic banquet.
Curam illorum habe et sic conside et omni cura tua explicita recumbe.
Take care of them first, and then sit down; and when all your duties are fulfilled, take your place.
Ut laeteris propter illos et ornamentum gratiae accipias coronam et dignationem consequaris corrogationis.
So that you may rejoice on their account, and receive an ornament of grace as your crown, and gain the recognition of the gathering.
Loquere maior natu decet enim te.
Speak, elder, for it is fitting for you.
Primum verbum diligenti scientia et non inpedias musicam.
Speak your first word with careful knowledge, and do not interrupt the music.
Ubi auditus non est non effundas sermonem et inportune noli extolli in sapientia tua.
Where no one is listening, do not pour out speech; and do not display your wisdom at the wrong time.
Gemmula carbunculi in ornamento auri et conparatio musicorum in convivio vini.
Like a ruby set in a golden ornament is the arrangement of music at a wine feast.
The carbuncle (carbunculus) -- a deep red gemstone, likely garnet or ruby. Its fiery color makes it the perfect metaphor for the warmth of music amid wine.
Sicut in fabricatione auri signum est smaragdi sic numerus musicorum in iucundo et moderato vino.
Like an emerald seal in a golden setting, so is the melody of music with pleasant and moderate wine.
Audi tacens et pro reverentia accedet tibi bona gratia.
Listen in silence, and for your reverence, good favor will come to you.
Adulescens loquere in tua causa vix cum necesse fuerit.
Young person, speak in your own case only when there is need.
Si bis interrogatus fueris habeat caput responsum tuum.
If you are asked twice, let your answer have substance.
In multis esto quasi inscius et audi tacens simul et quaerens.
In many matters, be as one who does not know, and listen in silence while also inquiring.
In medio magnatorum non praesumas et ubi sunt senes non multum loquaris.
Among the great, do not be presumptuous; and where the aged are present, do not speak at length.
Ante grandinem praeibit coruscatio et ante verecundiam praeibit gratia et pro reverentia accedet tibi bona gratia.
Before the hail goes the lightning flash; and before modesty goes grace; and for your reverence, good favor will come to you.
Et in hora surgendi non te trices primusque decurre in domum tuam et illic avoca et illic lude.
And at the hour of rising, do not linger. Be the first to hurry home, and there amuse yourself and there play.
Et age conceptiones tuas et non in delictis et verbo superbo.
And pursue your ideas there, but not in sins and proud words.
Et super his omnibus benedicito Dominum qui fecit te et inebriantem te ab omnibus bonis suis.
And for all these things, bless the Lord who made you and who fills you to overflowing with all his good things.
Qui timet Deum excipiet doctrinam illius et qui vigilaverint ad illum invenient benedictionem.
Whoever fears God will accept his instruction, and those who rise early to seek him will find blessing.
Qui quaerit legem replebitur ab ea et qui insidiose agit scandalizabitur in ea.
Whoever seeks the law will be filled by it, but whoever acts deceitfully will be tripped up by it.
Qui timent Dominum invenient iudicium iustum et iustitias quasi lumen accendent.
Those who fear the Lord will find just judgment, and they will kindle righteous acts like a light.
Homo peccator devitabit correptionem et secundum voluntatem suam inveniet conparationem.
A sinful person avoids correction and will find a comparison to suit his own will.
Vir consilii non derelinquet cogitationem et alienus et superbus non pertimescet timorem.
A person of counsel will not neglect a thought, but the stranger and the proud will not shrink from fear.
Etiam postquam fecisti cum eo sine consilio non postremo ne paenitebit.
Even after you have acted, do not be without counsel; and at the last, do not be regretful.
In via ruinae non eas et non offendas in lapides nec credas te viae laboriosae ne ponas animae tuae scandalum.
Do not walk on a path of ruin, and do not stumble on stones. Do not trust yourself to a wearisome road, lest you set a stumbling block for your own soul.
Et a filiis tuis cave et a domesticis tuis adtende.
And be on guard against your own children, and be attentive to those of your household.
In omni opere tuo crede ex fide animae tuae haec est enim conservatio mandatorum.
In all your work, trust the faith of your soul, for this is the keeping of the commandments.
Qui credit Deo adtendit mandatis et qui confidit in illo non minorabitur.
Whoever believes in God attends to the commandments, and whoever trusts in him will not be diminished.