Sirach 31

NEW JERUSALEM	DOUAI-RHEIMS
1 The sleeplessness brought by wealth makes a person lose weight, the worry it causes drives awaysleep.	1 Watching for riches consumeth the flesh, and the thought thereof driveth away sleep.
2 The worries of the daytime prevent you from sleeping, like a serious il ness, they keep sleep at bay.	2 The thinking beforehand turneth away the understanding, and a grievous sickness maketh the soul sober.
3 The rich for ever toils, piling up money, and then, leaving off, he is gorged with luxuries;	3 The rich man hath laboured in gathering riches together, and when he resteth he shall be filled with his goods.
4 the poor for ever toils, barely making a living, and then, leaving off, is poorer than ever.	4 The poor man hath laboured in his low way of life, and in the end he is still poor.
5 No one who loves money can easily avoid sinning, whoever pursues profit wil be corrupted by it.	5 He that loveth gold, shall not be justified: and he that followeth after corruption, shall be filled with it.
6 Gold has been the ruin of many; their coming destruction was self-evident,	6 Many have been brought to fall for gold, and the beauty thereof hath been their ruin.
7 since it is a snare for those who sacrifice to it and stupid people al get caught in it.	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 who is found to be blameless and does not go chasing after gold.	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, so that we can congratulate him, for he has achieved marvels among his fellows?	9 Who is he, and we will praise him? for he hath done wonderful things in his life.
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?	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 His fortune wil be firmly based and the assembly wil acclaim his generosity.	11 Therefore are his goods established in the Lord, and all the church of the saints shall declare his alms.
12 If you are sitting down to a lavish table, do not display your greed, do not say, 'What a lot to eat!'	12 Art thou set at a great table? be not the first to open thy mouth upon it.
13 Remember, it is bad to have a greedy eye. Is any creature more wicked than the eye? - That is why itis always weeping!	13 Say not: There are many things which are upon it.
14 Do not reach out for anything your host has his eye on, do not jostle him at the dish.	14 Remember that a wicked eye is evil.
15 Judge your fel ow-guest's needs by your own, be thoughtful in every way.	15 What is created more wicked than an eye? therefore shall it weep over all the face when it shall see.
16 Eat what is offered you like a well brought-up person, do not wolf your food or you wil earn dislike.	16 Stretch not out thy hand first, lest being disgraced with envy thou be put to confusion.
17 For politeness' sake be the first to stop; do not act the glutton, or you will give offence,	17 Be not hasty in a feast.
18 and if you are sitting with a large party, do not help yourself before the others do.	18 Judge of the disposition of thy neighbour by thyself.
19 A little is quite enough for a wel -bred person; his breathing is easy when he lies in bed.	19 Use as a frugal man the things that are set before thee: lest if thou eatest much, thou be hated.
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.	20 Leave off first, for manners' sake: and exceed not, lest thou offend.
21 If you are forced to eat too much, get up, go and vomit, and you will feel better.	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 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.	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 People praise the person who keeps a splendid table, and their opinion of his munificence is sound.	23 Watching, and choler, and gripes, are with an intemperate man:
24 But a niggardly host provokes universal resentment and people wil retail instances of his meanness.	24 Sound and wholesome sleep with a moderate man: he shall sleep till morning, and his soul shall be delighted with him.
25 Do not play the valiant at your wine, for wine has been the undoing 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 The furnace proves the temper of steel, and wine proves hearts in the drinking bouts of braggarts.	26 Hear me, my son, and despise me not: and in the end thou shalt find my words.
27 Wine gives life if drunk in moderation. What is life worth without wine? It came into being to makepeople happy.	27 In all thy works be quick, and no infirmity shall come to thee.
28 Drunk at the right time and in the right amount, wine makes for a glad heart and a cheerful mind.	28 The lips of many shall bless him that is liberal of his bread, and the testimony of his truth is faithful.
29 Bitterness of soul comes of wine drunk to excess out of temper or bravado.	29 Against him that is niggardly of his bread, the city will murmur, and the testimony of his niggardliness is true.
30 Drunkenness excites the stupid to a fury to his own harm, it reduces his strength while leading toblows.	30 Challenge not them that love wine: for wine hath destroyed very many.
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.	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.