Sirach

Chapter-31

Sirach 31:1 Watching for wealth consumes the flesh, and thinking about it takes away sleep.

 

Sirach 31:2 Anticipation in thought distracts the mind, and a grievous infirmity makes the soul sober.

 

Sirach 31:3 The rich man has labored in gathering wealth, and in his rest, he will be filled with his goods.

 

Sirach 31:4 The poor man has labored in his lowly way, and in the end, he may still be in need.

 

Sirach 31:5 Whoever loves gold will not be justified. And whoever pursues consumption will be consumed by it.

 

Sirach 31:6 Many have been caused to fall because of gold, and it became their ruin by its beauty.

 

Sirach 31:7 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.

 

Sirach 31:8 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.

 

Sirach 31:9 Who is he? For we should praise him. For he has done wonderful things in his life.

 

Sirach 31:10 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.

 

Sirach 31:11 Therefore, his good things are established in the Lord, and the entire Church of the saints will proclaim his almsgiving.

 

Sirach 31:12 Are you seated at a great table? You should not open your mouth over it first.

 

Sirach 31:13 You should not speak in this way: “There are many things that are upon it.”

 

Sirach 31:14 Remember that a wicked eye is evil.

 

Sirach 31:15 What has been made more wicked than the eye? Therefore, when it sees, it will shed tears over the entire face.

 

Sirach 31:16 You should not extend your hand first, for then, having been corrupted by envy, you would be ashamed.

 

Sirach 31:17 You should not press forward at a feast.

 

Sirach 31:18 Understand which things are your neighbor’s and not your own.

 

Sirach 31:19 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.

 

Sirach 31:20 Cease eating first, for the sake of discipline. And do not eat to excess, lest you offend.

 

Sirach 31:21 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.

 

Sirach 31:22 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.

 

Sirach 31:23 Worry, and disease, and torment are with an intemperate man.

 

Sirach 31:24 A healthy sleep is with a temperate man. He will sleep until morning, and his soul will be delighted with him.

 

Sirach 31:25 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.

 

Sirach 31:26 Listen to me, son, for you should not spurn me. And in the very end, you will discover my words.

 

Sirach 31:27 In all your works, be prompt, and then no infirmity will befall you.

 

Sirach 31:28 The lips of many will bless the splendid in bread. For the testimony of his truthfulness is faithful.

 

Sirach 31:29 The city will murmur against the wicked in bread. For the testimony against his wickedness is true.

 

Sirach 31:30 Do not choose to provoke those who love wine. For wine has destroyed many.

 

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

 

Sirach 31:32 Drinking wine in sobriety gives a contented life to men. If you drink it in moderation, you will be sober.

 

Sirach 31:33 What is life to him who is diminished by wine?

 

Sirach 31:34 What can cheat him of his life? Death.

 

Sirach 31:35 From the beginning, wine was created for cheerfulness, but not for inebriation.

 

Sirach 31:36 Wine taken in moderation lifts up the mind and the heart. Sirach 31:37 Sober drinking is healthful to mind and body.

 

Sirach 31:38 Wine taken in excess stirs up conflict and anger, and brings many to ruin.

 

Sirach 31:39 Wine taken in excess is bitter to the soul.

 

Sirach 31:40 The effects of inebriation are a stumbling block to the imprudent, diminishing strength and causing wounds.

 

Sirach 31:41 You should not argue with your neighbor during a banquet of wine. And you should not spurn him in his cheerfulness.

 

Sirach 31:42 You should not speak words of reproach to him. And you should not press him with repeated requests.