Sirach 31

DOUAI-RHEIMS	CATHOLIC PUBLIC DOMAIN
1 Watching for riches consumeth the flesh, and the thought thereof driveth away sleep.	1 Watching for wealth consumes the flesh, and thinking about it takes away sleep.
2 The thinking beforehand turneth away the understanding, and a grievous sickness maketh the soul sober.	2 Anticipation in thought distracts the mind, and a grievous infirmity makes the soul sober.
3 The rich man hath laboured in gathering riches together, and when he resteth he shall be filled with his goods.	3 The rich man has labored in gathering wealth, and in his rest, he will be filled with his goods.
4 The poor man hath laboured in his low way of life, and in the end he is still poor.	4 The poor man has labored in his lowly way, and in the end, he may still be in need.
5 He that loveth gold, shall not be justified: and he that followeth after corruption, shall be filled with it.	5 Whoever loves gold will not be justified. And whoever pursues consumption will be consumed by it.
6 Many have been brought to fall for gold, and the beauty thereof hath been their ruin.	6 Many have been caused to fall because of gold, and it became their ruin by its beauty.
7 Gold is a stumblingblock to them that sacrifice to it: woe to them that eagerly follow after it, and every fool shall perish by it.	7 Gold is a stumbling block to those who sacrifice for it. Woe to those who pursue it eagerly, for all the imprudent will perish by it.
8 Blessed is the rich man that is found without blemish: and that hath not gone after gold, nor put his trust in money nor in treasures.	8 Blessed is the rich man who is found to be without blemish. And blessed is he who has not gone after gold, nor placed his hope in money or treasures.
9 Who is he, and we will praise him? for he hath done wonderful things in his life.	9 Who is he? For we should praise him. For he has done wonderful things in his life.
10 Who hath been tried thereby, and made perfect, he shall have glory everlasting. He that could have transgressed, and hath not transgressed: and could do evil things, and hath not done them:	10 He has been tested by it, and has become perfect; he will have eternal glory. He was able to transgress, but he has not transgressed. He was able to do evil, but he has not done evil.
11 Therefore are his goods established in the Lord, and all the church of the saints shall declare his alms.	11 Therefore, his good things are established in the Lord, and the entire Church of the saints will proclaim his almsgiving.
12 Art thou set at a great table? be not the first to open thy mouth upon it.	12 Are you seated at a great table? You should not open your mouth over it first.
13 Say not: There are many things which are upon it.	13 You should not speak in this way: “There are many things that are upon it.”
14 Remember that a wicked eye is evil.	14 Remember that a wicked eye is evil.
15 What is created more wicked than an eye? therefore shall it weep over all the face when it shall see.	15 What has been made more wicked than the eye? Therefore, when it sees, it will shed tears over the entire face.
16 Stretch not out thy hand first, lest being disgraced with envy thou be put to confusion.	16 You should not extend your hand first, for then, having been corrupted by envy, you would be ashamed.
17 Be not hasty in a feast.	17 You should not press forward at a feast.
18 Judge of the disposition of thy neighbour by thyself.	18 Understand which things are your neighbor’s and not your own.
19 Use as a frugal man the things that are set before thee: lest if thou eatest much, thou be hated.	19 Make use of the things that are set before you, just as a frugal man would. Otherwise, if you eat much, you will be hated.
20 Leave off first, for manners' sake: and exceed not, lest thou offend.	20 Cease eating first, for the sake of discipline. And do not eat to excess, lest you offend.
21 ,21And if thou sittest among many, reach not thy hand out first of all: and be not the first to ask for drink.	21 And if you sit in the midst of many, you should not extend your hand before they do, and you should not be the first to ask for a drink.
22 How sufficient is a little wine for a man well taught, and in sleeping thou shalt not be uneasy with it, and thou shalt feel no pain.	22 How sufficient is a little wine for a well-taught man! For in sleep, you will not labor because of it, and you will not feel pain.
23 Watching, and choler, and gripes, are with an intemperate man:	23 Worry, and disease, and torment are with an intemperate man.
24 Sound and wholesome sleep with a moderate man: he shall sleep till morning, and his soul shall be delighted with him.	24 A healthy sleep is with a temperate man. He will sleep until morning, and his soul will be delighted with him.
25 And if thou hast been forced to eat much, arise, go out, and vomit: and it shall refresh thee, and thou shalt not bring sickness upon thy body.	25 And if you have been coaxed into eating too much, rise up, go outside, and vomit. And it will refresh you, and you will not bring sickness upon your body.
26 Hear me, my son, and despise me not: and in the end thou shalt find my words.	26 Listen to me, son, for you should not spurn me. And in the very end, you will discover my words.
27 In all thy works be quick, and no infirmity shall come to thee.	27 In all your works, be prompt, and then no infirmity will befall you.
28 The lips of many shall bless him that is liberal of his bread, and the testimony of his truth is faithful.	28 The lips of many will bless the splendid in bread. For the testimony of his truthfulness is faithful.
29 Against him that is niggardly of his bread, the city will murmur, and the testimony of his niggardliness is true.	29 The city will murmur against the wicked in bread. For the testimony against his wickedness is true.
30 Challenge not them that love wine: for wine hath destroyed very many.	30 Do not choose to provoke those who love wine. For wine has destroyed many.
31 Fire trieth hard iron: so wine drunk to excess shall rebuke the hearts of the proud.	31 Fire tests the hardness of iron; similarly, drinking wine to inebriation will rebuke the hearts of the arrogant.
32 Wine taken with sobriety is equal lire to men: if thou drink it moderately, thou shalt be sober.	32 Drinking wine in sobriety gives a contented life to men. If you drink it in moderation, you will be sober.
33 What is his life, who is diminished with wine?	33 What is life to him who is diminished by wine?
34 What taketh away life? death.	34 What can cheat him of his life? Death.
35 Wine was created from the beginning to make men joyful, and not to make them drunk.	35 From the beginning, wine was created for cheerfulness, but not for inebriation.
36 Wine drunken with moderation is the joy of the soul and the heart.	36 Wine taken in moderation lifts up the mind and the heart.
37 Sober drinking is health to soul and body.	37 Sober drinking is healthful to mind and body.
38 Wine drunken with excess raiseth quarrels; and wrath, and many ruins.	38 Wine taken in excess stirs up conflict and anger, and brings many to ruin.
39 Wine drunken with excess is bitterness of the soul.	39 Wine taken in excess is bitter to the soul.
40 The heat of drunkenness is the stumblingblock of the fool, lessening strength and causing wounds.	40 The effects of inebriation are a stumbling block to the imprudent, diminishing strength and causing wounds.
41 Rebuke not thy neighbour in a banquet of wine: and despise him not in hip mirth.	41 You should not argue with your neighbor during a banquet of wine. And you should not spurn him in his cheerfulness.
42 Speak not to him words of reproach: and press him not in demanding again.	42 You should not speak words of reproach to him. And you should not press him with repeated requests.