Sirach 31
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)
Table Etiquette
12 [d]Are you seated at the table of the great?[e]
Do not be greedy at it,
and do not say, “How much food there is here!”(H)
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.(I)
14 Do not reach out your hand for everything you see,
and do not crowd your neighbor[f] at the dish.(J)
15 Judge your neighbor’s feelings by your own,
and in every matter be thoughtful.(K)
16 Eat what is set before you like a well brought-up person,[g]
and do not chew greedily, or you will be despised.(L)
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[h] before they do.(M)
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.(N)
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,[i]
and no sickness will overtake you.
23 People bless those who are liberal with food,
and the testimony to their generosity is trustworthy.(O)
24 The city complains of those who are stingy with food,
and the testimony to their stinginess is accurate.(P)
Temperance in Drinking Wine
25 Do not try to prove your strength by wine-drinking,
for wine has destroyed many.(Q)
26 As the furnace tests the work of the smith,[j]
so wine tests hearts when the insolent quarrel.(R)
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.(S)
28 Wine drunk at the proper time and in moderation
is rejoicing of heart and gladness of soul.(T)
29 Wine drunk to excess leads to bitterness of spirit,
to quarrels and stumbling.(U)
30 Drunkenness increases the anger of fools to their own hurt,
reducing their strength and adding wounds.(V)
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.(W)
Footnotes
- 31.2 Other ancient authorities read sleep carries off a severe illness
- 31.5 Heb Syr: Gk pursues destruction will be filled
- 31.11 Other ancient authorities add because of this
- 31.12 Some ancient authorities add the title Concerning Food
- 31.12 Heb Syr: Gk at a great table
- 31.14 Gk him
- 31.16 Heb: Gk like a human being
- 31.18 Gk reach out your hand
- 31.22 Heb Syr: Gk industrious
- 31.26 Heb: Gk tests the hardening of steel by dipping
Ben Sira 31
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)
Table Etiquette[b]
12 Are you seated at the table of the great?
Bring to it no greedy gullet,
Nor say, “How much food there is here!”
13 Remember that the greedy eye is evil.
What has been created more greedy than the eye?
Therefore, it weeps for any cause.(D)
15 Recognize that your neighbor feels as you do,
and keep in mind everything you dislike.
14 Toward what he looks at, do not put out a hand;
nor reach for the same dish when he does.
16 Eat, like anyone else, what is set before you,
but do not eat greedily, lest you be despised.
17 Be the first to stop, as befits good manners;
and do not gorge yourself, lest you give offense.(E)
18 If there are many with you at table,
do not be the first to stretch out your hand.
19 Does not a little suffice for a well-bred person?
When he lies down, he does not wheeze.(F)
20 Moderate eating ensures sound slumber
and a clear mind on rising the next day.
The distress of sleeplessness and of nausea
and colic are with the glutton!
21 Should you have eaten too much,
get up to vomit[c] and you will have relief.
22 Listen to me, my child, and do not scorn me;
later you will find my advice good.
In whatever you do, be moderate,
and no sickness will befall you.
23 People bless one who is generous with food,
and this testimony to his goodness is lasting.(G)
24 The city complains about one who is stingy with food,
and this testimony to his stinginess is lasting.
25 Let not wine be the proof of your strength,
for wine has been the ruin of many.
26 As the furnace tests the work of the smith,
so does wine the hearts of the insolent.
27 Wine is very life to anyone,
if taken in moderation.
Does anyone really live who lacks the wine
which from the beginning was created for joy?(H)
28 Joy of heart, good cheer, and delight
is wine enough, drunk at the proper time.
29 Headache, bitterness, and disgrace
is wine drunk amid anger and strife.
30 Wine in excess is a snare for the fool;
it lessens strength and multiplies wounds.
31 Do not wrangle with your neighbor when wine is served,
nor despise him while he is having a good time;
Say no harsh words to him
nor distress him by making demands.
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).
- 31:12–32:13 Whoever observes etiquette at table avoids greed and selfishness (31:12–13), is considerate of a neighbor’s likes and dislikes and is generous toward him (31:15, 14, 23, 24), observes proper manners (31:16–18), is moderate in eating and drinking (31:19–20, 25–30). A good host is solicitous for the guests (32:1–2), provides conversation and diversion (32:3–6), is modest in speech (32:7, 8, 10), is respectful of elders (32:9), polite in comportment and grateful to God for his favors (32:11–13).
- 31:21 Get up to vomit: the practice of induced vomiting, well-known among Romans, and less well-known among the Jews, seems to be referred to here.
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
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