“Speak!
You who are older!
It is your right!
But speak
With accurate knowledge!
Do not interrupt the music!
Where there is entertainment,
Do not pour out talk!
Do not display
Your cleverness
At the wrong time!
A ruby seal
In a setting of gold
Is a concert of music
At a banquet of wine.
A seal of emerald
In a rich setting of gold
Is the melody of music
With good wine.”
Sirach has some advice for the old folks at a wine banquet. If they are older, they should speak because it is their right. However, they should have accurate knowledge. These old folks should not talk if there is entertainment, so that they do not display their cleverness at the wrong time. Sirach compares the role of music and wine at a banquet to a ruby seal in gold and an emerald set in gold. Once again, jewelry was a comparison to the happy good times of music and drink.