Sirach 31:12-32:13

Common English Bible

¹⁹ A little food is more than enough
for well-educated people!
    They won’t gasp for breath
    when they lie down to sleep.
²⁰ Healthy sleep depends
on not stuffing yourself.
    Such people arise early and feel good.^[b]
    The gluttons suffer the pains of insomnia, nausea, and colic.
²¹ If you’ve overstuffed yourself,
    get up, vomit far away,
    and you will feel better.
²² Listen to me, my child,
and don’t show me contempt,
        and in the end you will understand
        what I’m saying;
    be careful^[c] in everything you do,
    and you will never fall sick.
²³ People will bless those
who are generous with bread;
    they give reliable testimony
    to the excellence of such people.
²⁴ The city will murmur about those
who are stingy with bread,
    giving accurate witness
    to the wickedness of such people.

²⁵ Don’t demonstrate your bravado
in wine drinking,
    because wine has destroyed many.
²⁶ A furnace tests the hardening of steel
when it’s dipped,^[d]
    so wine tests the heart
    when the arrogant quarrel.
²⁷ If taken in moderation,
    wine makes people’s lives better.
What’s life to those who
don’t have wine?
    It was created from the beginning
    to bring merriment.
²⁸ The right amount of wine
consumed at the right time
    makes for a joyful heart
    and a light spirit.
²⁹ Too much wine drunk
in the midst of strife and conflict
    makes for a bitter spirit.
³⁰ Getting drunk causes fools to lose
their temper and do themselves harm,
    reducing their strength,
    and adding injuries as well.
³¹ Don’t correct your neighbors
at a wine banquet,
    and don’t show them contempt
    when they are partying;
    don’t say any reproachful word
    to them,
    and don’t trouble them
    with any demands.

32 If they have appointed you
as the banquet leader,
    don’t think too much of yourself;
    behave toward them
    as if you were one of them.
    Take care of their needs
    and then sit down.
² When you have done
everything necessary, recline,
so that you can have fun with them,
    and because of your excellent behavior
    you will receive a wreath.

³ Speak, you who are older,
for it’s your privilege.
    But know what you’re talking about,
    and don’t interrupt the music.
⁴ Where there’s a performance,
don’t talk too much,
    and don’t be clever at the wrong time.
⁵ A musical performance at a wine party
    is like a ruby seal on a gold ornament.
⁶ Melodic music accompanying sweet wine
    is like an emerald seal
    in a setting of gold.
⁷ Speak, you who are young,
if it’s necessary,
    but only twice,
    and only if you are asked.
⁸ Sum up what you have to say;
much can be said in few words.
Be like one who knows
but who can keep silent.
⁹ When you are among the more influential, don’t presume authority;
    and where elders are present,
    don’t talk idly about many things.
¹⁰ Lightning comes before thunder,
    and good favor walks
    in front of a modest person.
¹¹ Rise up to leave in time,
and don’t be the last person out;
    go back to your own home,
    and don’t miss your work
    the next day.
¹² Enjoy yourself there,
and do what you please,
    but don’t sin with arrogant words.
¹³ More than this,
bless the one who made you
    and who lets you drink freely
    from his good bounty.