Sirach 31

KING JAMES BIBLE	NEW JERUSALEM
1 Watching for riches consumeth the flesh, and the care thereof driveth away sleep.	1 The sleeplessness brought by wealth makes a person lose weight, the worry it causes drives awaysleep.
2 Watching care will not let a man slumber, as a sore disease breaketh sleep,	2 The worries of the daytime prevent you from sleeping, like a serious il ness, they keep sleep at bay.
3 The rich hath great labour in gathering riches together; and when he resteth, he is filled with his delicates.	3 The rich for ever toils, piling up money, and then, leaving off, he is gorged with luxuries;
4 The poor laboureth in his poor estate; and when he leaveth off, he is still needy.	4 the poor for ever toils, barely making a living, and then, leaving off, is poorer than ever.
5 He that loveth gold shall not be justified, and he that followeth corruption shall have enough thereof.	5 No one who loves money can easily avoid sinning, whoever pursues profit wil be corrupted by it.
6 Gold hath been the ruin of many, and their destruction was present.	6 Gold has been the ruin of many; their coming destruction was self-evident,
7 It is a stumblingblock unto them that sacrifice unto it, and every fool shall be taken therewith.	7 since it is a snare for those who sacrifice to it and stupid people al get caught in it.
8 Blessed is the rich that is found without blemish, and hath not gone after gold.	8 Happy the rich who is found to be blameless and does not go chasing after gold.
9 Who is he? and we will call him blessed: for wonderful things hath he done among his people.	9 Who is he, so that we can congratulate him, for he has achieved marvels among his fellows?
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 Who has been through this test and emerged perfect? He may wel be proud of that! Who has had thechance to sin and has not sinned, had the chance to do wrong and has not done it?
11 His goods shall be established, and the congregation shall declare his alms.	11 His fortune wil be firmly based and the assembly wil acclaim his generosity.
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 sitting down to a lavish table, do not display your greed, do not say, 'What a lot to eat!'
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, it is bad to have a greedy eye. Is any creature more wicked than the eye? - That is why itis always weeping!
14 Stretch not thine hand whithersoever it looketh, and thrust it not with him into the dish.	14 Do not reach out for anything your host has his eye on, do not jostle him at the dish.
15 Judge not thy neighbour by thyself: and be discreet in every point.	15 Judge your fel ow-guest's needs by your own, be thoughtful in every way.
16 Eat as it becometh a man, those things which are set before thee; and devour note, lest thou be hated.	16 Eat what is offered you like a well brought-up person, do not wolf your food or you wil earn dislike.
17 Leave off first for manners' sake; and be not unsatiable, lest thou offend.	17 For politeness' sake be the first to stop; do not act the glutton, or you will give offence,
18 When thou sittest among many, reach not thine hand out first of all.	18 and if you are sitting with a large party, do not help yourself before the others do.
19 A very little is sufficient for a man well nurtured, and he fetcheth not his wind short upon his bed.	19 A little is quite enough for a wel -bred person; his breathing is easy when he lies in bed.
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 A moderate diet ensures sound sleep, one gets up early, in the best of spirits. Sleeplessness,biliousness and gripe are what the glutton has to endure.
21 And if thou hast been forced to eat, arise, go forth, vomit, and thou shalt have rest.	21 If you are forced to eat too much, get up, go and vomit, and you will feel better.
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 child, do not disregard me, eventually you wil see the force of my words. Bemoderate in al your activities and il ness wil never overtake 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 People praise the person who keeps a splendid table, and their opinion of his munificence is sound.
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 But a niggardly host provokes universal resentment and people wil retail instances of his meanness.
25 Shew not thy valiantness in wine; for wine hath destroyed many.	25 Do not play the valiant at your wine, for wine has been the undoing of many.
26 The furnace proveth the edge by dipping: so doth wine the hearts of the proud by drunkeness.	26 The furnace proves the temper of steel, and wine proves hearts in the drinking bouts of braggarts.
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 gives life if drunk in moderation. What is life worth without wine? It came into being to makepeople happy.
28 Wine measurably drunk and in season bringeth gladness of the heart, and cheerfulness of the mind:	28 Drunk at the right time and in the right amount, wine makes for a glad heart and a cheerful mind.
29 But wine drunken with excess maketh bitterness of the mind, with brawling and quarrelling.	29 Bitterness of soul comes of wine drunk to excess out of temper or bravado.
30 Drunkenness increaseth the rage of a fool till he offend: it diminisheth strength, and maketh wounds.	30 Drunkenness excites the stupid to a fury to his own harm, it reduces his strength while leading toblows.
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 Do not provoke your fel ow-guest at a wine feast, do not make fun of him when he is enjoying himself, do not take him to task or annoy him by reclaiming money owed.