Sirach 31

DOUAI-RHEIMS	Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition
1 Watching for riches consumeth the flesh, and the thought thereof driveth away sleep.	1 Wakefulness over wealth wastes away one's flesh, and anxiety about it removes sleep.
2 The thinking beforehand turneth away the understanding, and a grievous sickness maketh the soul sober.	2 Wakeful anxiety prevents slumber, and a severe illness carries off sleep.
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 toils as his wealth accumulates, and when he rests he fills himself with his dainties.
4 The poor man hath laboured in his low way of life, and in the end he is still poor.	4 The poor man toils as his livelihood diminishes, and when he rests he becomes needy.
5 He that loveth gold, shall not be justified: and he that followeth after corruption, shall be filled with it.	5 He who loves gold will not be justified, and he who pursues money will be led astray by it.
6 Many have been brought to fall for gold, and the beauty thereof hath been their ruin.	6 Many have come to ruin because of gold, and their destruction has met them face to face.
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 It is a stumbling block to those who are devoted to it, and every fool will be taken captive 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 blameless, and who does not go after gold.
9 Who is he, and we will praise him? for he hath done wonderful things in his life.	9 Who is he? And we will call him blessed, for he has done wonderful things among his people.
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 Who has been tested by it and been found perfect? Let it be for him a ground for boasting. Who has had the power to transgress and did not transgress, and to do evil and did not do it?
11 Therefore are his goods established in the Lord, and all the church of the saints shall declare his alms.	11 His prosperity will be established, and the assembly will relate his acts of charity.
12 Art thou set at a great table? be not the first to open thy mouth upon it.	12 Are you seated at the table of a great man? Do not be greedy at it, and do not say, "There is certainly much upon it!"
13 Say not: There are many things which are upon it.	13 Remember that a greedy eye is a bad thing. What has been created more greedy than the eye? Therefore it sheds tears from every face.
14 Remember that a wicked eye is evil.	14 Do not reach out your hand for everything you see, and do not crowd your neighbor at the dish.
15 What is created more wicked than an eye? therefore shall it weep over all the face when it shall see.	15 Judge your neighbor's feelings by your own, and in every matter be thoughtful.
16 Stretch not out thy hand first, lest being disgraced with envy thou be put to confusion.	16 Eat like a human being what is set before you, and do not chew greedily, lest you be hated.
17 Be not hasty in a feast.	17 Be the first to stop eating, for the sake of good manners, and do not be insatiable, lest you give offense.
18 Judge of the disposition of thy neighbour by thyself.	18 If you are seated among many persons, do not reach out your hand before they do.
19 Use as a frugal man the things that are set before thee: lest if thou eatest much, thou be hated.	19 How ample a little is for a well-disciplined man! He does not breathe heavily upon his bed.
20 Leave off first, for manners' sake: and exceed not, lest thou offend.	20 Healthy sleep depends on moderate eating; he rises early, and feels fit. The distress of sleeplessness and of nausea and colic are with the glutton.
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 If you are overstuffed with food, get up in the middle of the meal, and you will have relief.
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 Listen to me, my son, and do not disregard me, and in the end you will appreciate my words. In all your work be industrious, and no sickness will overtake you.
23 Watching, and choler, and gripes, are with an intemperate man:	23 Men will praise the one who is liberal with food, and their testimony to his excellence is trustworthy.
24 Sound and wholesome sleep with a moderate man: he shall sleep till morning, and his soul shall be delighted with him.	24 The city will complain of the one who is niggardly with food, and their testimony to his niggardliness is accurate.
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 Do not aim to be valiant over wine, for wine has destroyed many.
26 Hear me, my son, and despise me not: and in the end thou shalt find my words.	26 Fire and water prove the temper of steel, so wine tests hearts in the strife of the proud.
27 In all thy works be quick, and no infirmity shall come to thee.	27 Wine is like life to men, if you drink it in moderation. What is life to a man who is without wine? It has been created to make men glad.
28 The lips of many shall bless him that is liberal of his bread, and the testimony of his truth is faithful.	28 Wine drunk in season and temperately is rejoicing of heart and gladness of soul.
29 Against him that is niggardly of his bread, the city will murmur, and the testimony of his niggardliness is true.	29 Wine drunk to excess is bitterness of soul, with provocation and stumbling.
30 Challenge not them that love wine: for wine hath destroyed very many.	30 Drunkenness increases the anger of a fool to his injury, reducing his strength and adding wounds.
31 Fire trieth hard iron: so wine drunk to excess shall rebuke the hearts of the proud.	31 Do not reprove your neighbor at a banquet of wine, and do not despise him in his merrymaking; speak no word of reproach to him, and do not afflict him by making demands of him.
32 Wine taken with sobriety is equal lire to men: if thou drink it moderately, thou shalt be sober.
33 What is his life, who is diminished with wine?
34 What taketh away life? death.
35 Wine was created from the beginning to make men joyful, and not to make them drunk.
36 Wine drunken with moderation is the joy of the soul and the heart.
37 Sober drinking is health to soul and body.
38 Wine drunken with excess raiseth quarrels; and wrath, and many ruins.
39 Wine drunken with excess is bitterness of the soul.
40 The heat of drunkenness is the stumblingblock of the fool, lessening strength and causing wounds.
41 Rebuke not thy neighbour in a banquet of wine: and despise him not in hip mirth.
42 Speak not to him words of reproach: and press him not in demanding again.