Sirach 31:1-11
Good News Translation
Problems Caused by Money
31 Worrying about money will make you lose weight and lose sleep. 2 Worrying about business[a] will keep you from sleeping just as surely as a serious illness does.
3 Rich people work hard to make a lot of money; then they can sit back and live in luxury. 4 Poor people work hard and have nothing to show for it, and when they rest, they are still poor.
5 No one who loves money can be judged innocent; his efforts to get rich have led him into sin.[b] 6 Many people have been ruined because of money, brought face-to-face with disaster. 7 Money is a trap for those who are fascinated by it, a trap that every fool falls into.
8 A person who gets rich without sinfully chasing after money is fortunate. 9 Do you know anyone like that? If so, we will congratulate him for performing a miracle that no one else has ever been able to do. 10 If anyone has ever passed this test, he can well be proud. Has anyone ever known that he could get away with cheating someone, and not taken advantage of it? 11 If so, he deserves his wealth, and everyone will praise him for his generosity.
Read full chapterFootnotes
- Sirach 31:2 Hebrew Worrying about business; Greek Sleepless worry.
- Sirach 31:5 Hebrew have...sin; Greek will destroy him.
Sirach 31:1-11
New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition
Right Attitude toward Riches
31 Wakefulness over wealth wastes away one’s flesh,
and anxiety about it drives away sleep.(A)
2 Wakeful anxiety prevents slumber,
and a severe illness carries off sleep.[a]
3 Rich people toil to amass possessions,
and when they rest, they fill themselves with their delicacies.(B)
4 Poor people toil to make a meager living,
and if ever they rest, they become needy.(C)
5 Those who love gold will not be justified;
those who pursue money will be led astray[b] by it.(D)
6 Many have come to ruin because of gold,
and their destruction has met them face to face.(E)
7 It is a stumbling block to those who are avid for it,
and every fool will be taken captive by it.
8 Blessed are the rich who are found blameless
and who do not go after gold.(F)
9 Who are they, that we may call them happy?
For they have done wonders among their people.
10 Who has been tested by it and been found perfect?
Let it be for them 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 Their prosperity will be established,[c]
and the assembly will proclaim their acts of charity.(G)
Ben Sira 31:1-11
New American Bible (Revised Edition)
Chapter 31
The Proper Attitude Toward Riches[a]
1 Wakefulness over wealth wastes away the flesh,
and anxiety over it drives away sleep.
2 Wakeful anxiety banishes slumber;
more than a serious illness it disturbs repose.
3 The rich labor to pile up wealth,
and if they rest, it is to enjoy pleasure;
4 The poor labor for a meager living,
and if they ever rest, they become needy.
5 The lover of gold will not be free from sin;
whoever pursues money will be led astray by it.
6 Many have come to ruin for the sake of gold,
yet destruction lay before their very eyes;(A)
7 It is a stumbling block for fools;
any simpleton will be ensnared by it.
8 Happy the rich person found without fault,
who does not turn aside after wealth.(B)
9 Who is he, that we may praise him?
For he has done wonders among his people.
10 Who has been tested by gold and been found perfect?
Let it be for him his glory;
Who could have sinned but did not,
and could have done evil but did not?
11 So his good fortune is secure,
and the assembly will recount his praises.(C)
Footnotes
- 31:1–11 Solicitude for acquiring wealth and anxiety over preserving it disturb repose and easily lead to sin and ruin (vv. 1–7). Cf. Mt 6:25–34. The rich who have not sinned or been seduced by wealth are worthy of highest praise (vv. 8–11).
Sirach 31:1-11
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.
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
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