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Wisdom of Ben Sira 31:24-26
New Catholic Bible
Wisdom of Ben Sira 31:24-26
New Catholic Bible
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[a]
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.
Footnotes
- 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).
