Sirach 31:12-31
New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition
Table Etiquette
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)
19 How ample a little is for the well-disciplined!
They do not breathe heavily when in bed.
20 Healthy sleep depends on moderate eating;
they rise early and feel fit.
The distress of sleeplessness and of nausea
and colic are with the glutton.(G)
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,[f]
and no sickness will overtake you.
23 People bless those who are liberal with food,
and the testimony to their generosity is trustworthy.(H)
24 The city complains of those who are stingy with food,
and the testimony to their stinginess is accurate.(I)
Temperance in Drinking Wine
25 Do not try to prove your strength by wine-drinking,
for wine has destroyed many.(J)
26 As the furnace tests the work of the smith,[g]
so wine tests hearts when the insolent quarrel.(K)
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.(L)
28 Wine drunk at the proper time and in moderation
is rejoicing of heart and gladness of soul.(M)
29 Wine drunk to excess leads to bitterness of spirit,
to quarrels and stumbling.(N)
30 Drunkenness increases the anger of fools to their own hurt,
reducing their strength and adding wounds.(O)
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.(P)
Sirach 31:12-31
Douay-Rheims 1899 American Edition
12 Art thou set at a great table? be not the first to open thy mouth upon it.
13 Say not: There are many things which are upon it.
14 Remember that a wicked eye is evil.
15 What is created more wicked than an eye? therefore shall it weep over all the face when it shall see.
16 Stretch not out thy hand first, lest being disgraced with envy thou be put to confusion.
17 Be not hasty in a feast.
18 Judge of the disposition of thy neighbour by thyself.
19 Use as a frugal man the things that are set before thee: lest if thou eatest much, thou be hated.
20 Leave off first, for manners' sake: and exceed not, lest thou offend.
21 And if thou sittest among many, reach not thy hand out first of all: and be not the first to ask for drink.
22 How sufficient is a little wine for a man well taught, and in sleeping thou shalt not be uneasy with it, and thou shalt feel no pain.
23 Watching, and choler, and gripes, are with an intemperate man:
24 Sound and wholesome sleep with a moderate man: he shall sleep till morning, and his soul shall be delighted with him.
25 And if thou hast been forced to eat much, arise, go out, and vomit: and it shall refresh thee, and thou shalt not bring sickness upon thy body.
26 Hear me, my son, and despise me not: and in the end thou shalt find my words.
27 In all thy works be quick, and no infirmity shall come to thee.
28 The lips of many shall bless him that is liberal of his bread, and the testimony of his truth is faithful.
29 Against him that is niggardly of his bread, the city will murmur, and the testimony of his niggardliness is true.
30 Challenge not them that love wine: for wine hath destroyed very many.
31 Fire trieth hard iron: so wine drunk to excess shall rebuke the hearts of the proud.
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