“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.