Sirach 31
New Revised Standard Version, Anglicised Catholic Edition
Right Attitude towards Riches
31 Wakefulness over wealth wastes away one’s flesh,
and anxiety about it drives away sleep.
2 Wakeful anxiety prevents slumber,
and a severe illness carries off sleep.[a]
3 The rich person toils to amass a fortune,
and when he rests he fills himself with his dainties.
4 The poor person toils to make a meagre living,
and if ever he rests he becomes needy.
5 One who loves gold will not be justified;
one who pursues money will be led astray[b] by it.
6 Many have come to ruin because of gold,
and their destruction has met them face to face.
7 It is a stumbling-block to those who are avid for it,
and every fool will be taken captive by it.
8 Blessed is the rich person who is found blameless,
and who does not go after gold.
9 Who is he, that we may praise him?
For he has done wonders among his people.
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?
11 His prosperity will be established,[c]
and the assembly will proclaim his acts of charity.
Table Etiquette
12 Are you seated at the table of the great?[d]
Do not be greedy at it,
and do not say, ‘How much food there is here!’
13 Remember that a greedy eye is a bad thing.
What has been created more greedy than the eye?
Therefore it sheds tears for any reason.
14 Do not reach out your hand for everything you see,
and do not crowd your neighbour[e] at the dish.
15 Judge your neighbour’s feelings by your own,
and in every matter be thoughtful.
16 Eat what is set before you like a well-bred person,[f]
and do not chew greedily, or you will give offence.
17 Be the first to stop, as befits good manners,
and do not be insatiable, or you will give offence.
18 If you are seated among many others,
do not help yourself[g] before they do.
19 How ample a little is for a well-disciplined person!
He does not breathe heavily when 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.
21 If you are overstuffed with food,
get up to vomit, and you will have relief.
22 Listen to me, my child, and do not disregard me,
and in the end you will appreciate my words.
In everything you do be moderate,[h]
and no sickness will overtake you.
23 People bless someone who is liberal with food,
and their testimony to his generosity is trustworthy.
24 The city complains of someone who is stingy with food,
and their testimony to his stinginess is accurate.
Temperance in Drinking Wine
25 Do not try to prove your strength by wine-drinking,
for wine has destroyed many.
26 As the furnace tests the work of the smith,[i]
so wine tests hearts when the insolent quarrel.
27 Wine is very life to human beings
if taken in moderation.
What is life to one who is without wine?
It has been created to make people happy.
28 Wine drunk at the proper time and in moderation
is rejoicing of heart and gladness of soul.
29 Wine drunk to excess leads to bitterness of spirit,
to quarrels and stumbling.
30 Drunkenness increases the anger of a fool to his own hurt,
reducing his strength and adding wounds.
31 Do not reprove your neighbour at a banquet of wine,
and do not despise him in his merrymaking;
speak no word of reproach to him,
and do not distress him by making demands of him.
Footnotes
- Sirach 31:2 Other ancient authorities read sleep carries off a severe illness
- Sirach 31:5 Heb Syr: Gk pursues destruction will be filled
- Sirach 31:11 Other ancient authorities add because of this
- Sirach 31:12 Heb Syr: Gk at a great table
- Sirach 31:14 Gk him
- Sirach 31:16 Heb: Gk like a human being
- Sirach 31:18 Gk reach out your hand
- Sirach 31:22 Heb Syr: Gk industrious
- Sirach 31:26 Heb: Gk tests the hardening of steel by dipping
New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicised Catholic Edition, copyright © 1989, 1993, 1995 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
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