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Ecclesiasticus
Chapter 31
Of the desire of riches, and of moderation in eating and drinking.
 1 |
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. |
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