Sirach 31

Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition	NEW JERUSALEM
1 Wakefulness over wealth wastes away one's flesh, and anxiety about it removes sleep.	1 The sleeplessness brought by wealth makes a person lose weight, the worry it causes drives awaysleep.
2 Wakeful anxiety prevents slumber, and a severe illness carries off sleep.	2 The worries of the daytime prevent you from sleeping, like a serious il ness, they keep sleep at bay.
3 The rich man toils as his wealth accumulates, and when he rests he fills himself with his dainties.	3 The rich for ever toils, piling up money, and then, leaving off, he is gorged with luxuries;
4 The poor man toils as his livelihood diminishes, and when he rests he becomes needy.	4 the poor for ever toils, barely making a living, and then, leaving off, is poorer than ever.
5 He who loves gold will not be justified, and he who pursues money will be led astray by it.	5 No one who loves money can easily avoid sinning, whoever pursues profit wil be corrupted by it.
6 Many have come to ruin because of gold, and their destruction has met them face to face.	6 Gold has been the ruin of many; their coming destruction was self-evident,
7 It is a stumbling block to those who are devoted to it, and every fool will be taken captive by it.	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 man who is found blameless, and who does not go 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 he has done wonderful things among his people.	9 Who is he, so that we can congratulate him, for he has achieved marvels among his fellows?
10 Who has been tested by it and been found perfect? Let it be for him a ground for boasting. Who has had the power to transgress and did not transgress, and to do evil and did not do 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 prosperity will be established, and the assembly will relate his acts of charity.	11 His fortune wil be firmly based and the assembly wil acclaim his generosity.
12 Are you seated at the table of a great man? Do not be greedy at it, and do not say, "There is certainly much upon 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 greedy eye is a bad thing. What has been created more greedy than the eye? Therefore it sheds tears from every face.	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 Do not reach out your hand for everything you see, and do not crowd your neighbor at the dish.	14 Do not reach out for anything your host has his eye on, do not jostle him at the dish.
15 Judge your neighbor's feelings by your own, and in every matter be thoughtful.	15 Judge your fel ow-guest's needs by your own, be thoughtful in every way.
16 Eat like a human being what is set before you, and do not chew greedily, lest you 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 Be the first to stop eating, for the sake of good manners, and do not be insatiable, lest you give offense.	17 For politeness' sake be the first to stop; do not act the glutton, or you will give offence,
18 If you are seated among many persons, do not reach out your hand before they do.	18 and if you are sitting with a large party, do not help yourself before the others do.
19 How ample a little is for a well-disciplined man! He does not breathe heavily upon his bed.	19 A little is quite enough for a wel -bred person; his breathing is easy when he lies in bed.
20 Healthy sleep depends on moderate eating; he rises early, and feels fit. The distress of sleeplessness and of nausea and colic are with the glutton.	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 If you are overstuffed with food, get up in the middle of the meal, and you will have relief.	21 If you are forced to eat too much, get up, go and vomit, and you will feel better.
22 Listen to me, my son, and do not disregard me, and in the end you will appreciate my words. In all your work be industrious, and no sickness will overtake you.	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 Men will praise the one who is liberal with food, and their testimony to his excellence is trustworthy.	23 People praise the person who keeps a splendid table, and their opinion of his munificence is sound.
24 The city will complain of the one who is niggardly with food, and their testimony to his niggardliness is accurate.	24 But a niggardly host provokes universal resentment and people wil retail instances of his meanness.
25 Do not aim to be valiant over wine, for wine has destroyed many.	25 Do not play the valiant at your wine, for wine has been the undoing of many.
26 Fire and water prove the temper of steel, so wine tests hearts in the strife of the proud.	26 The furnace proves the temper of steel, and wine proves hearts in the drinking bouts of braggarts.
27 Wine is like life to men, if you drink it in moderation. What is life to a man who is without wine? It has been created 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 drunk in season and temperately is rejoicing of heart and gladness of soul.	28 Drunk at the right time and in the right amount, wine makes for a glad heart and a cheerful mind.
29 Wine drunk to excess is bitterness of soul, with provocation and stumbling.	29 Bitterness of soul comes of wine drunk to excess out of temper or bravado.
30 Drunkenness increases the anger of a fool to his injury, reducing his strength and adding wounds.	30 Drunkenness excites the stupid to a fury to his own harm, it reduces his strength while leading toblows.
31 Do not reprove your neighbor at a banquet of wine, and do not despise him in his merrymaking; speak no word of reproach to him, and do not afflict him by making demands of him.	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.