Good News [1976], GOOD NEWS BIBLE WITH DEUTEROCANONICALS / APOCRYPHA Today's English Version (AMERICAN BIBLE SOCIETY, New York) [word count] [B15000].
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1 If you are chosen to preside
at a banquet, don't put on
airs. Just be like everyone else. Look
after the guests before you sit down.
2 After you have performed your duties,
you can sit down and enjoy
yourself with the others. They will
respect you for doing a good job.
3 If you are older than most of the
guests, you may talk; that is your
right. But you should know what
you are talking about and not interrupt
the music.
4 If entertainment is
being provided, don't keep up a
steady conversation; it's the wrong
time to show off your wit.
5 Music at
a banquet where wine is served is
like a ruby set in gold.
6 Good music
and good wine—an emerald set in
gold.
7 If you are young, don't speak
unless you have to, but never more
than twice, and only if someone
speaks to you first.
8 Come to the
point and say it all in a few words.
Show that you are well-informed,
but stay quiet.
9 Don't treat important
people as if you were their
equal and don't make a nuisance of
yourself by asking them a lot of
questions. note
10 The reputation of a
modest person goes before him, as
lightning before thunder.
11 Leave the party at the right time
and never be the last to go. Don't linger
at the door; just go straight
home.
12 There you can enjoy yourself
as you wish, but don't commit
the sin of bragging.
13 And don't forget
to thank your Creator for letting
you enjoy so many good things.
Interpreting the Law
14 If you fear the Lord, you will accept
his correction. He will bless
those who get up early in the morning
to pray.
15 Study his Law, and
you will master it, unless you are insincere
about it, in which case you
will fail.
16 If you fear the Lord, you
will know what is right, and you will
be famous for your fairness.
17 Sinners
have no use for correction, and
will interpret the Law to suit themselves.
18 Sensible people will consider
every opinion, but arrogant note people
will let nothing stand in their way.
19 Never do anything without thinking
it through, and once you have
done something, don't look back and
wish you had done something else.
20 Don't take a course of action that
is dangerous, and don't make the
same mistake twice. note
21 Don't be too
sure of yourself, even when the way
looks easy.
22 Always watch where
you are going. note
23 Whatever you do
be careful; note this is keeping the Lord's
commands.
24 Believing in the Law means
keeping the Lord's commands.
24 If you trust the Lord, you cannot
lose.
Good News [1976], GOOD NEWS BIBLE WITH DEUTEROCANONICALS / APOCRYPHA Today's English Version (AMERICAN BIBLE SOCIETY, New York) [word count] [B15000].
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