Sirach 31

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

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

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

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

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

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

⁷Gold 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

⁸Blessed 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

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

¹⁰He 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

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

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

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

¹⁴Remember that a wicked eye is evil

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

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

¹⁷You should not press forward at a feast

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

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

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

²¹And 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

²²How 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

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

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

²⁵And 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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

³³What is life to him who is diminished by wine

³⁴What can cheat him of his life? Death

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

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

³⁷Sober drinking is healthful to mind and body

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

³⁹Wine taken in excess is bitter to the soul

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

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

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