Sirach 31

KING JAMES BIBLE	NEW AMERICAN BIBLE
1 Watching for riches consumeth the flesh, and the care thereof driveth away sleep.	1 Keeping watch over riches wastes the flesh, and the care of wealth drives away rest.
2 Watching care will not let a man slumber, as a sore disease breaketh sleep,	2 Concern for one's livelihood banishes slumber; more than a serious illness it disturbs repose.
3 The rich hath great labour in gathering riches together; and when he resteth, he is filled with his delicates.	3 The rich man labors to pile up wealth, and his only rest is wanton pleasure;
4 The poor laboureth in his poor estate; and when he leaveth off, he is still needy.	4 The poor man toils for a meager subsistence, and if ever he rests, he finds himself in want.
5 He that loveth gold shall not be justified, and he that followeth corruption shall have enough thereof.	5 The lover of gold will not be free from sin, for he who pursues wealth is led astray by it.
6 Gold hath been the ruin of many, and their destruction was present.	6 Many have been ensnared by gold, though destruction lay before their eyes;
7 It is a stumblingblock unto them that sacrifice unto it, and every fool shall be taken therewith.	7 It is a stumbling block to those who are avid for it, a snare for every fool.
8 Blessed is the rich that is found without blemish, and hath not gone after gold.	8 Happy the rich man found without fault, who turns not aside after gain!
9 Who is he? and we will call him blessed: for wonderful things hath he done among his people.	9 Who is he, that we may praise him? he, of all his kindred, has done wonders,
10 Who hath been tried thereby, and found perfect? then let him glory. Who might offend, and hath not offended? or done evil, and hath not done it?	10 For he has been tested by gold and come off safe, and this remains his glory; He could have sinned but did not, could have done evil but would not,
11 His goods shall be established, and the congregation shall declare his alms.	11 So that his possessions are secure, and the assembly recounts his praises.
12 If thou sit at a bountiful table, be not greedy upon it, and say not, There is much meat on it.	12 If you are dining with a great man, bring not a greedy gullet to his table, Nor cry out, "How much food there is here!"
13 Remember that a wicked eye is an evil thing: and what is created more wicked than an eye? therefore it weepeth upon every occasion.	13 Remember that gluttony is evil. No creature is greedier than the eye: therefore it weeps for any cause.
14 Stretch not thine hand whithersoever it looketh, and thrust it not with him into the dish.	14 Toward what he eyes, do not put out a hand; nor reach when he does for the same dish.
15 Judge not thy neighbour by thyself: and be discreet in every point.	15 Recognize that your neighbor feels as you do, and keep in mind your own dislikes:
16 Eat as it becometh a man, those things which are set before thee; and devour note, lest thou be hated.	16 Behave at table like a favored guest, and be not greedy, lest you be despised.
17 Leave off first for manners' sake; and be not unsatiable, lest thou offend.	17 Be the first to stop, as befits good manners; gorge not yourself, lest you give offense.
18 When thou sittest among many, reach not thine hand out first of all.	18 If there are many with you at table, be not the first to reach out your hand.
19 A very little is sufficient for a man well nurtured, and he fetcheth not his wind short upon his bed.	19 Does not a little suffice for a well-bred man? When he lies down, it is without discomfort.
20 Sound sleep cometh of moderate eating: he riseth early, and his wits are with him: but the pain of watching, and choler, and pangs of the belly, are with an unsatiable man.	20 Distress and anguish and loss of sleep, and restless tossing for the glutton! Moderate eating ensures sound slumber and a clear mind next day on rising.
21 And if thou hast been forced to eat, arise, go forth, vomit, and thou shalt have rest.	21 If perforce you have eaten too much, once you have emptied your stomach, you will have relief.
22 My son, hear me, and despise me not, and at the last thou shalt find as I told thee: in all thy works be quick, so shall there no sickness come unto thee.	22 Listen to me, my son, and scorn me not; later you will find my advice good. In whatever you do, be moderate, and no sickness will befall you.
23 Whoso is liberal of his meat, men shall speak well of him; and the report of his good housekeeping will be believed.	23 On a man generous with food, blessings are invoked, and this testimony to his goodness is lasting;
24 But against him that is a niggard of his meat the whole city shall murmur; and the testimonies of his niggardness shall not be doubted of.	24 He who is miserly with food is denounced in public, and this testimony to his stinginess is lasting.
25 Shew not thy valiantness in wine; for wine hath destroyed many.	25 Let not wine-drinking be the proof of your strength, for wine has been the ruin of many.
26 The furnace proveth the edge by dipping: so doth wine the hearts of the proud by drunkeness.	26 As the furnace probes the work of the smith, so does wine the hearts of the insolent.
27 Wine is as good as life to a man, if it be drunk moderately: what life is then to a man that is without wine? for it was made to make men glad.	27 Wine is very life to man if taken in moderation. Does he really live who lacks the wine which was created for his joy?
28 Wine measurably drunk and in season bringeth gladness of the heart, and cheerfulness of the mind:	28 Joy of heart, good cheer and merriment are wine drunk freely at the proper time.
29 But wine drunken with excess maketh bitterness of the mind, with brawling and quarrelling.	29 Headache, bitterness and disgrace is wine drunk amid anger and strife.
30 Drunkenness increaseth the rage of a fool till he offend: it diminisheth strength, and maketh wounds.	30 More and more wine is a snare for the fool; it lessens his strength and multiplies his wounds.
31 Rebuke not thy neighbour at the wine, and despise him not in his mirth: give him no despiteful words, and press not upon him with urging him [to drink.]	31 Rebuke not your neighbor when wine is served, nor put him to shame while he is merry; Use no harsh words with him and distress him not in the presence of others.