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Sirach 31
Douay-Rheims 1899 American Edition
Sirach 31
Douay-Rheims 1899 American Edition
31 Watching for riches consumeth the flesh, and the thought thereof driveth away sleep.
2 The thinking beforehand turneth away the understanding, and a grievous sickness maketh the soul sober.
3 The rich man hath laboured in gathering riches together, and when he resteth he shall be filled with his goods.
4 The poor man hath laboured in his low way of life, and in the end he is still poor.
5 He that loveth gold, shall not be justified: and he that followeth after corruption, shall be filled with it.
6 Many have been brought to fall for gold, and the beauty thereof hath been their ruin.
7 Gold is a stumblingblock to them that sacrifice to it: woe to them that eagerly follow after it, and every fool shall perish by it.
8 Blessed is the rich man that is found without blemish: and that hath not gone after gold, nor put his trust in money nor in treasures.
9 Who is he, and we will praise him? for he hath done wonderful things in his life.
10 Who hath been tried thereby, and made perfect, he shall have glory everlasting. He that could have transgressed, and hath not transgressed: and could do evil things, and hath not done them:
11 Therefore are his goods established in the Lord, and all the church of the saints shall declare his alms.
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.
32 Wine taken with sobriety is equal life to men: if thou drink it moderately, thou shalt be sober.
33 What is his life, who is diminished with wine?
34 What taketh away life? death.
35 Wine was created from the beginning to make men joyful, and not to make them drunk.
36 Wine drunken with moderation is the joy of the soul and the heart.
37 Sober drinking is health to soul and body.
38 Wine drunken with excess raiseth quarrels; and wrath, and many ruins.
39 Wine drunken with excess is bitterness of the soul.
40 The heat of drunkenness is the stumblingblock of the fool, lessening strength and causing wounds.
41 Rebuke not thy neighbour in a banquet of wine: and despise him not in his mirth.
42 Speak not to him words of reproach: and press him not in demanding again.
Wisdom of Ben Sira 31
New Catholic Bible
Wisdom of Ben Sira 31
New Catholic Bible
Chapter 31
The Right Attitude toward Riches[a]
1 Sleeplessness over wealth causes a man to lose weight,
and the resultant anxiety drives away sleep.
2 Apprehension prevents slumber
just as a serious illness banishes sleep.
3 The rich man toils to amass a fortune,
and when he relaxes he enjoys every kind of luxury.
4 The poor man toils to eke out a meager living,
and if he ever rests he finds himself in want.
5 The man who loves gold will not be free from sin;
the man who pursues wealth will be led astray by it.
6 Many have come to their downfall as the result of gold,
finding themselves face to face with ruin.
7 It is a stumbling block to those who are avid for it,
and every fool is trapped by it.
8 Blessed is the rich man who is found to be blameless
and who does not chase 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 escaped unscathed?
This should be a cause of pride for him.
He could have sinned, but he refrained from doing so;
he could have done evil and did not do it.
11 His prosperity will be established,
and the assembly will proclaim his charitable acts.
Social Conventions and Correctness[b]
Table Etiquette
12 When you are seated at a lavish table,[c]
do not display your greed
or exclaim: “Look at all this!”
13 Remember that a greedy eye is a bad thing.
Is any creature more greedy than the eye?
Therefore, it sheds tears at the slightest provocation.
14 Do not reach out for anything your host is eyeing,
or dip in the dish together with him.
15 Judge your neighbor’s feelings by your own,
and be thoughtful in every respect.
16 Eat what is set before you like a well-bred person;
do not gulp down your food and make yourself objectionable.
17 Be the first to stop eating, as befits good manners,
and do not be a glutton, lest you give offense.
18 If you are dining with a large group,
do not reach out your hand before the others.
19 A small portion is sufficient for someone of good upbringing;
when he lies down, he experiences no discomfort.
20 Moderate eating ensures sound sleep;
such a man rises early and feels refreshed.
However, sleeplessness, nausea, and colic
are the lot of the glutton.
21 If perchance you have eaten too much,
get up and empty your stomach, and you will find relief.
22 Listen to me, my child, and do not disregard me;
eventually you will find that my advice is on the mark.
Be moderate[d] in everything you do,
and no illness will befall you.
Praise for Munificent Hosts
23 Much praise is given to the man who is liberal in serving food,
and the testimony to his generosity is fulsome.
24 The man who is miserly with food is denounced universally,
and the testimony to his stingy nature is substantial.
The Right Attitude toward Wine[e]
25 Do not try to prove your strength with wine,
for wine has been the ruin of many.
26 As the furnace tests the tempering of steel,
so wine tests the hearts in the disputes of the insolent.
27 Wine is a source of life
if taken in moderation.
What is life to someone who has been deprived of wine?
It was created to make men happy.
28 Wine is the cause of a joyful heart and cheerful spirits
when consumed at the right time and in the proper amount.
29 However, wine drunk to excess causes bitter feelings
and leads to quarrels and retaliation.
30 Drunkenness increases the anger of a fool to his own harm,
sapping his strength and exposing him to injury.
31 Do not rebuke your neighbor when wine is served,
or ridicule him when he is enjoying himself.
Speak no words of reproach to him,
or distress him by making demands of him.
Footnotes
- Wisdom of Ben Sira 31:1 If gold seduces by its prestige, it undermines the health of its devotees and exposes them to sin, as Jesus will also indicate later: “It is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God” (Lk 18:25).
- Wisdom of Ben Sira 31:12 The author is a practical educator; he has left us an agreeable code of table etiquette. He does not denigrate either good meals or gaiety; as a well-educated person, he finds pleasure in social conventions and correctness.
- Wisdom of Ben Sira 31:12 At a lavish table: Greek reads: “at the table of the great.”
- Wisdom of Ben Sira 31:22 Be moderate: Greek reads: “Be industrious.”
- Wisdom of Ben Sira 31:25 Wine is one of God’s good creations (see Ps 104:15). It is a joy when taken in moderation (see Sir 40:20), but if drunk to excess, it can lead to ruin (see Prov 20:1; 23:29-35; Am 6:6). Misuse of wine violates the divine order and brings its own recompense (vv. 29-30). The author is reminded of an allied concept on the proper use of words and applies it to wine: one should use words carefully to those who are “merry,” that is, lighthearted but not drunk (v. 31).
Douay-Rheims 1899 American Edition (DRA)
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New International Version (NIV) 
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