Sirach 31

¹ Watching for wealth consumes the flesh, and thinking about it takes away sleep.

² Anticipation in thought distracts the mind, and a grievous infirmity makes the soul sober.

³ The rich man has labored in gathering wealth, and in his rest, he will be filled with his goods.

⁴ The poor man has labored in his lowly way, and in the end, he may still be in need.

⁵ Whoever loves gold will not be justified. And whoever pursues consumption will be consumed by it.

⁶ Many have been caused to fall because of gold, and it became their ruin by its beauty.

⁷ Gold is a stumbling block to those who sacrifice for it. Woe to those who pursue it eagerly, for all the imprudent will perish by it.

⁸ Blessed is the rich man who is found to be without blemish. And blessed is he who has not gone after gold, nor placed his hope in money or treasures.

⁹ Who is he? For we should praise him. For he has done wonderful things in his life.

¹⁰ He has been tested by it, and has become perfect; he will have eternal glory. He was able to transgress, but he has not transgressed. He was able to do evil, but he has not done evil.

¹¹ Therefore, his good things are established in the Lord, and the entire Church of the saints will proclaim his almsgiving.

¹² Are you seated at a great table? You should not open your mouth over it first.

¹³ You should not speak in this way: “There are many things that are upon it.”

¹⁴ Remember that a wicked eye is evil.

¹⁵ What has been made more wicked than the eye? Therefore, when it sees, it will shed tears over the entire face.

¹⁶ You should not extend your hand first, for then, having been corrupted by envy, you would be ashamed.

¹⁷ You should not press forward at a feast.

¹⁸ Understand which things are your neighbor’s and not your own.

¹⁹ Make use of the things that are set before you, just as a frugal man would. Otherwise, if you eat much, you will be hated.

²⁰ Cease eating first, for the sake of discipline. And do not eat to excess, lest you offend.

²¹ And if you sit in the midst of many, you should not extend your hand before they do, and you should not be the first to ask for a drink.

²² How sufficient is a little wine for a well-taught man! For in sleep, you will not labor because of it, and you will not feel pain.

²³ Worry, and disease, and torment are with an intemperate man.

²⁴ A healthy sleep is with a temperate man. He will sleep until morning, and his soul will be delighted with him.

²⁵ And if you have been coaxed into eating too much, rise up, go outside, and vomit. And it will refresh you, and you will not bring sickness upon your body.

²⁶ Listen to me, son, for you should not spurn me. And in the very end, you will discover my words.

²⁷ In all your works, be prompt, and then no infirmity will befall you.

²⁸ The lips of many will bless the splendid in bread. For the testimony of his truthfulness is faithful.

²⁹ The city will murmur against the wicked in bread. For the testimony against his wickedness is true.

³⁰ Do not choose to provoke those who love wine. For wine has destroyed many.

³¹ Fire tests the hardness of iron; similarly, drinking wine to inebriation will rebuke the hearts of the arrogant.

³² Drinking wine in sobriety gives a contented life to men. If you drink it in moderation, you will be sober.

³³ What is life to him who is diminished by wine?

³⁴ What can cheat him of his life? Death.

³⁵ From the beginning, wine was created for cheerfulness, but not for inebriation.

³⁶ Wine taken in moderation lifts up the mind and the heart.

³⁷ Sober drinking is healthful to mind and body.

³⁸ Wine taken in excess stirs up conflict and anger, and brings many to ruin.

³⁹ Wine taken in excess is bitter to the soul.

⁴⁰ The effects of inebriation are a stumbling block to the imprudent, diminishing strength and causing wounds.

⁴¹ You should not argue with your neighbor during a banquet of wine. And you should not spurn him in his cheerfulness.

⁴² You should not speak words of reproach to him. And you should not press him with repeated requests.