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
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.