Sirach 18:30-19:3
New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition
Self-Control[a]
30 Do not follow your base desires
but restrain your appetites.(A)
31 If you allow your soul to take pleasure in base desire,
it will make you the laughingstock of your enemies.(B)
32 Do not revel in great luxury,
or you may become impoverished by contact with it.(C)
33 Do not become a beggar by feasting with borrowed money,
when you have nothing in your purse.[b]
19 The one who does this[c] will not become rich;
one who despises small things will fail little by little.(D)
2 Wine and women lead intelligent men astray,
and the man who consorts with prostitutes is reckless.(E)
3 Decay and worms will take possession of him,
and the reckless person will be snatched away.(F)
New Revised Standard Version, Updated Edition. Copyright © 2021 National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.