Sirach 31

NEW AMERICAN BIBLE	DOUAI-RHEIMS
1 Keeping watch over riches wastes the flesh, and the care of wealth drives away rest.	1 Watching for riches consumeth the flesh, and the thought thereof driveth away sleep.
2 Concern for one's livelihood banishes slumber; more than a serious illness it disturbs repose.	2 The thinking beforehand turneth away the understanding, and a grievous sickness maketh the soul sober.
3 The rich man labors to pile up wealth, and his only rest is wanton pleasure;	3 The rich man hath laboured in gathering riches together, and when he resteth he shall be filled with his goods.
4 The poor man toils for a meager subsistence, and if ever he rests, he finds himself in want.	4 The poor man hath laboured in his low way of life, and in the end he is still poor.
5 The lover of gold will not be free from sin, for he who pursues wealth is led astray by it.	5 He that loveth gold, shall not be justified: and he that followeth after corruption, shall be filled with it.
6 Many have been ensnared by gold, though destruction lay before their eyes;	6 Many have been brought to fall for gold, and the beauty thereof hath been their ruin.
7 It is a stumbling block to those who are avid for it, a snare for every fool.	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.
8 Happy the rich man found without fault, who turns not aside after gain!	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.
9 Who is he, that we may praise him? he, of all his kindred, has done wonders,	9 Who is he, and we will praise him? for he hath done wonderful things in his life.
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,	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:
11 So that his possessions are secure, and the assembly recounts his praises.	11 Therefore are his goods established in the Lord, and all the church of the saints shall declare his alms.
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!"	12 Art thou set at a great table? be not the first to open thy mouth upon it.
13 Remember that gluttony is evil. No creature is greedier than the eye: therefore it weeps for any cause.	13 Say not: There are many things which are upon it.
14 Toward what he eyes, do not put out a hand; nor reach when he does for the same dish.	14 Remember that a wicked eye is evil.
15 Recognize that your neighbor feels as you do, and keep in mind your own dislikes:	15 What is created more wicked than an eye? therefore shall it weep over all the face when it shall see.
16 Behave at table like a favored guest, and be not greedy, lest you be despised.	16 Stretch not out thy hand first, lest being disgraced with envy thou be put to confusion.
17 Be the first to stop, as befits good manners; gorge not yourself, lest you give offense.	17 Be not hasty in a feast.
18 If there are many with you at table, be not the first to reach out your hand.	18 Judge of the disposition of thy neighbour by thyself.
19 Does not a little suffice for a well-bred man? When he lies down, it is without discomfort.	19 Use as a frugal man the things that are set before thee: lest if thou eatest much, thou be hated.
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.	20 Leave off first, for manners' sake: and exceed not, lest thou offend.
21 If perforce you have eaten too much, once you have emptied your stomach, you will have relief.	21 ,21And if thou sittest among many, reach not thy hand out first of all: and be not the first to ask for drink.
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.	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.
23 On a man generous with food, blessings are invoked, and this testimony to his goodness is lasting;	23 Watching, and choler, and gripes, are with an intemperate man:
24 He who is miserly with food is denounced in public, and this testimony to his stinginess is lasting.	24 Sound and wholesome sleep with a moderate man: he shall sleep till morning, and his soul shall be delighted with him.
25 Let not wine-drinking be the proof of your strength, for wine has been the ruin of many.	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.
26 As the furnace probes the work of the smith, so does wine the hearts of the insolent.	26 Hear me, my son, and despise me not: and in the end thou shalt find my words.
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?	27 In all thy works be quick, and no infirmity shall come to thee.
28 Joy of heart, good cheer and merriment are wine drunk freely at the proper time.	28 The lips of many shall bless him that is liberal of his bread, and the testimony of his truth is faithful.
29 Headache, bitterness and disgrace is wine drunk amid anger and strife.	29 Against him that is niggardly of his bread, the city will murmur, and the testimony of his niggardliness is true.
30 More and more wine is a snare for the fool; it lessens his strength and multiplies his wounds.	30 Challenge not them that love wine: for wine hath destroyed very many.
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.	31 Fire trieth hard iron: so wine drunk to excess shall rebuke the hearts of the proud.
	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.