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)
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.