Sirach - Chapter 31

Passage

Watching for riches consumes the flesh, and the thought thereof drives away sleep. The thinking beforehand turns away the understanding, and a grievous sickness makes the soul sober. The rich man has labored in gathering riches together, and when he rests he shall be filled with his goods. The poor man has labored in his low way of life, and in the end he is still poor. He that loves gold, shall not be justified: and he that follows after corruption, shall be filled with it. Many have been brought to fall for gold, and the beauty thereof has been their ruin. Gold is a stumblingblock to them that sacrifice to it: woe to them that eagerly follow after it, and every fool shall perish by it. Blessed is the rich man that is found without blemish: and that has not gone after gold, nor put his trust in money nor in treasures. Who is he, and we will praise him? for he has done wonderful things in his life. Who has been tried thereby, and made perfect, he shall have glory everlasting. He that could have transgressed, and has not transgressed: and could do evil things, and has not done them: Therefore are his goods established in the Lord, and all the church of the saints shall declare his alms. Are you set at a great table? be not the first to open your mouth upon it. Say not: There are many things which are upon it. Remember that a wicked eye is evil. What is created more wicked than an eye? therefore shall it weep over all the face when it shall see. Stretch not out your hand first, lest being disgraced with envy you be put to confusion. Be not hasty in a feast. Judge of the disposition of your neighbor by yourself. Use as a frugal man the things that are set before you: lest if you eat much, you be hated. Leave off first, for manners' sake: and exceed not, lest you offend. And if you sit among many, reach not your hand out first of all, and be not the first to ask for drink. How sufficient is a little wine for a man well taught, and in sleeping you shall not be uneasy with it, and you shall feel no pain. Watching, and choler, and gripes, are with an intemperate man: Sound and wholesome sleep with a moderate man: he shall sleep till morning, and his soul shall be delighted with him. And if you have been forced to eat much, arise, go out, and vomit: and it shall refresh you, and you shall not bring sickness upon your body. Hear me, my son, and despise me not: and in the end you shall find my words. In all your works be quick, and no infirmity shall come to you. The lips of many shall bless him that is liberal of his bread, and the testimony of his truth is faithful. Against him that is niggardly of his bread, the city will murmur, and the testimony of his niggardliness is true. Challenge not them that love wine: for wine has destroyed very many. Fire tries hard iron: so wine drunk to excess shall rebuke the hearts of the proud. Wine taken with sobriety is equal life to men: if you drink it moderately, you shall be sober. What is his life, who is diminished with wine? What takes away life? death. Wine was created from the beginning to make men joyful, and not to make them drunk. Wine drunken with moderation is the joy of the soul and the heart. Sober drinking is health to soul and body. Wine drunken with excess raises quarrels, and wrath, and many ruins. Wine drunken with excess is bitterness of the soul. The heat of drunkenness is the stumblingblock of the fool, lessening strength and causing wounds. Rebuke not your neighbor in a banquet of wine: and despise him not in his mirth. Speak not to him words of reproach: and press him not in demanding again.