Sirach 31

NEW JERUSALEM	NEW AMERICAN BIBLE
1 The sleeplessness brought by wealth makes a person lose weight, the worry it causes drives awaysleep.	1 Keeping watch over riches wastes the flesh, and the care of wealth drives away rest.
2 The worries of the daytime prevent you from sleeping, like a serious il ness, they keep sleep at bay.	2 Concern for one's livelihood banishes slumber; more than a serious illness it disturbs repose.
3 The rich for ever toils, piling up money, and then, leaving off, he is gorged with luxuries;	3 The rich man labors to pile up wealth, and his only rest is wanton pleasure;
4 the poor for ever toils, barely making a living, and then, leaving off, is poorer than ever.	4 The poor man toils for a meager subsistence, and if ever he rests, he finds himself in want.
5 No one who loves money can easily avoid sinning, whoever pursues profit wil be corrupted by it.	5 The lover of gold will not be free from sin, for he who pursues wealth is led astray by it.
6 Gold has been the ruin of many; their coming destruction was self-evident,	6 Many have been ensnared by gold, though destruction lay before their eyes;
7 since it is a snare for those who sacrifice to it and stupid people al get caught in it.	7 It is a stumbling block to those who are avid for it, a snare for every fool.
8 Happy the rich who is found to be blameless and does not go chasing after gold.	8 Happy the rich man found without fault, who turns not aside after gain!
9 Who is he, so that we can congratulate him, for he has achieved marvels among his fellows?	9 Who is he, that we may praise him? he, of all his kindred, has done wonders,
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 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 fortune wil be firmly based and the assembly wil acclaim his generosity.	11 So that his possessions are secure, and the assembly recounts his praises.
12 If you are sitting down to a lavish table, do not display your greed, do not say, 'What a lot to eat!'	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, it is bad to have a greedy eye. Is any creature more wicked than the eye? - That is why itis always weeping!	13 Remember that gluttony is evil. No creature is greedier than the eye: therefore it weeps for any cause.
14 Do not reach out for anything your host has his eye on, do not jostle him at the dish.	14 Toward what he eyes, do not put out a hand; nor reach when he does for the same dish.
15 Judge your fel ow-guest's needs by your own, be thoughtful in every way.	15 Recognize that your neighbor feels as you do, and keep in mind your own dislikes:
16 Eat what is offered you like a well brought-up person, do not wolf your food or you wil earn dislike.	16 Behave at table like a favored guest, and be not greedy, lest you be despised.
17 For politeness' sake be the first to stop; do not act the glutton, or you will give offence,	17 Be the first to stop, as befits good manners; gorge not yourself, lest you give offense.
18 and if you are sitting with a large party, do not help yourself before the others do.	18 If there are many with you at table, be not the first to reach out your hand.
19 A little is quite enough for a wel -bred person; his breathing is easy when he lies in bed.	19 Does not a little suffice for a well-bred man? When he lies down, it is without discomfort.
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 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 If you are forced to eat too much, get up, go and vomit, and you will feel better.	21 If perforce you have eaten too much, once you have emptied your stomach, you will have relief.
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 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 People praise the person who keeps a splendid table, and their opinion of his munificence is sound.	23 On a man generous with food, blessings are invoked, and this testimony to his goodness is lasting;
24 But a niggardly host provokes universal resentment and people wil retail instances of his meanness.	24 He who is miserly with food is denounced in public, and this testimony to his stinginess is lasting.
25 Do not play the valiant at your wine, for wine has been the undoing of many.	25 Let not wine-drinking be the proof of your strength, for wine has been the ruin of many.
26 The furnace proves the temper of steel, and wine proves hearts in the drinking bouts of braggarts.	26 As the furnace probes the work of the smith, so does wine the hearts of the insolent.
27 Wine gives life if drunk in moderation. What is life worth without wine? It came into being to makepeople happy.	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 Drunk at the right time and in the right amount, wine makes for a glad heart and a cheerful mind.	28 Joy of heart, good cheer and merriment are wine drunk freely at the proper time.
29 Bitterness of soul comes of wine drunk to excess out of temper or bravado.	29 Headache, bitterness and disgrace is wine drunk amid anger and strife.
30 Drunkenness excites the stupid to a fury to his own harm, it reduces his strength while leading toblows.	30 More and more wine is a snare for the fool; it lessens his strength and multiplies his wounds.
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 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.