^12 [a]Are you seated at the table of the great?^[b]
    Do not be greedy at it,
    and do not say, “How much food there is here!”^(A)
13 Remember that a greedy eye is a bad thing.
    What has been created more greedy than the eye?
    Therefore it covers the face with tears.^(B)
14 Do not reach out your hand for everything you see,
    and do not crowd your neighbor^[c] at the dish.^(C)
15 Judge your neighbor’s feelings by your own,
    and in every matter be thoughtful.^(D)
16 Eat what is set before you like a well brought-up person,^[d]
    and do not chew greedily, or you will be despised.^(E)
17 Be the first to stop, as befits good manners,
    and do not be insatiable, or you will give offense.
¹⁸ If you are seated among many persons,
    do not help yourself^[e] before they do.^(F)

²⁵ Do not try to prove your strength by wine-drinking,
    for wine has destroyed many.^(A)
26 As the furnace tests the work of the smith,^[a]
    so wine tests hearts when the insolent quarrel.^(B)
27 Wine is very life to humans
    if taken in moderation.
What is life to one who is without wine?
    It has been created to make people happy.^(C)
28 Wine drunk at the proper time and in moderation
    is rejoicing of heart and gladness of soul.^(D)
29 Wine drunk to excess leads to bitterness of spirit,
    to quarrels and stumbling.^(E)
30 Drunkenness increases the anger of fools to their own hurt,
    reducing their strength and adding wounds.^(F)
31 Do not reprove your neighbors at a banquet of wine,
    and do not despise them in their merrymaking;
speak no word of reproach to them,
    and do not distress them by making demands of them.^(G)

32 If they make you master of the feast, do not exalt yourself;
    be among them as one of their number.
Take care of them first and then sit down;^(A)
2     when you have fulfilled all your duties, take your place,
so that you may be merry along with them
    and receive a wreath for your excellent leadership.