Sirach 31

CATHOLIC PUBLIC DOMAIN	NEW JERUSALEM
1 Watching for wealth consumes the flesh, and thinking about it takes away sleep.	1 The sleeplessness brought by wealth makes a person lose weight, the worry it causes drives awaysleep.
2 Anticipation in thought distracts the mind, and a grievous infirmity makes the soul sober.	2 The worries of the daytime prevent you from sleeping, like a serious il ness, they keep sleep at bay.
3 The rich man has labored in gathering wealth, and in his rest, he will be filled with his goods.	3 The rich for ever toils, piling up money, and then, leaving off, he is gorged with luxuries;
4 The poor man has labored in his lowly way, and in the end, he may still be in need.	4 the poor for ever toils, barely making a living, and then, leaving off, is poorer than ever.
5 Whoever loves gold will not be justified. And whoever pursues consumption will be consumed by it.	5 No one who loves money can easily avoid sinning, whoever pursues profit wil be corrupted by it.
6 Many have been caused to fall because of gold, and it became their ruin by its beauty.	6 Gold has been the ruin of many; their coming destruction was self-evident,
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.	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 to be without blemish. And blessed is he who has not gone after gold, nor placed his hope in money or treasures.	8 Happy the rich who is found to be blameless and does not go chasing after gold.
9 Who is he? For we should praise him. For he has done wonderful things in his life.	9 Who is he, so that we can congratulate him, for he has achieved marvels among his fellows?
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.	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 Therefore, his good things are established in the Lord, and the entire Church of the saints will proclaim his almsgiving.	11 His fortune wil be firmly based and the assembly wil acclaim his generosity.
12 Are you seated at a great table? You should not open your mouth over it first.	12 If you are sitting down to a lavish table, do not display your greed, do not say, 'What a lot to eat!'
13 You should not speak in this way: “There are many things that are 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!
14 Remember that a wicked eye is evil.	14 Do not reach out for anything your host has his eye on, do not jostle him at the dish.
15 What has been made more wicked than the eye? Therefore, when it sees, it will shed tears over the entire face.	15 Judge your fel ow-guest's needs by your own, be thoughtful in every way.
16 You should not extend your hand first, for then, having been corrupted by envy, you would be ashamed.	16 Eat what is offered you like a well brought-up person, do not wolf your food or you wil earn dislike.
17 You should not press forward at a feast.	17 For politeness' sake be the first to stop; do not act the glutton, or you will give offence,
18 Understand which things are your neighbor’s and not your own.	18 and if you are sitting with a large party, do not help yourself before the others do.
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.	19 A little is quite enough for a wel -bred person; his breathing is easy when he lies in bed.
20 Cease eating first, for the sake of discipline. And do not eat to excess, lest you offend.	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 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.	21 If you are forced to eat too much, get up, go and vomit, and you will feel better.
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.	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 Worry, and disease, and torment are with an intemperate man.	23 People praise the person who keeps a splendid table, and their opinion of his munificence is sound.
24 A healthy sleep is with a temperate man. He will sleep until morning, and his soul will be delighted with him.	24 But a niggardly host provokes universal resentment and people wil retail instances of his meanness.
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.	25 Do not play the valiant at your wine, for wine has been the undoing of many.
26 Listen to me, son, for you should not spurn me. And in the very end, you will discover my words.	26 The furnace proves the temper of steel, and wine proves hearts in the drinking bouts of braggarts.
27 In all your works, be prompt, and then no infirmity will befall you.	27 Wine gives life if drunk in moderation. What is life worth without wine? It came into being to makepeople happy.
28 The lips of many will bless the splendid in bread. For the testimony of his truthfulness is faithful.	28 Drunk at the right time and in the right amount, wine makes for a glad heart and a cheerful mind.
29 The city will murmur against the wicked in bread. For the testimony against his wickedness is true.	29 Bitterness of soul comes of wine drunk to excess out of temper or bravado.
30 Do not choose to provoke those who love wine. For wine has destroyed many.	30 Drunkenness excites the stupid to a fury to his own harm, it reduces his strength while leading toblows.
31 Fire tests the hardness of iron; similarly, drinking wine to inebriation will rebuke the hearts of the arrogant.	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.
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.