1 Wakefulness that comes from riches consumes the flesh, and anxiety about it takes away sleep. (WEB) 2 Wakeful anxiety will crave slumber. In a severe disease, sleep will be broken. (WEB) 3 A rich man toils in gathering money together. When he rests, he is filled with his good things. (WEB) 4 A poor man toils in lack of substance. When he rests, he becomes needy. (WEB) 5 He who loves gold won’t be justified. He who follows destruction will himself have his fill of it. (WEB) 6 Many have been given over to ruin for the sake of gold. Their destruction meets them face to face. (WEB) 7 It is a stumbling block to those who sacrifice to it. Every fool will be taken by it. (WEB) 8 Blessed is the rich person who is found blameless, and who doesn’t go after gold. (WEB) 9 Who is he, that we may call him blessed? For he has done wonderful things among his people. (WEB) 10 Who has been tried by it, and found perfect? Then let him boast. Who has had the power to transgress, and has not transgressed? And to do evil, and has not done it? (WEB) 11 His prosperity will be made sure. The congregation will proclaim his alms. (WEB) 12 Do you sit at a great table? Don’t be greedy there. Don’t say, “There is a lot of food on it!” (WEB) 13 Remember that a greedy eye is a wicked thing. What has been created more greedy than an eye? Therefore it sheds tears from every face. (WEB) 14 Don’t stretch your hand wherever it looks. Don’t thrust yourself with it into the dish. (WEB) 15 Consider your neighbor’s feelings by your own. Be discreet in every point. (WEB) 16 Eat like a human being those things which are set before you. Don’t eat greedily, lest you be hated. (WEB) 17 Be first to stop for manners’ sake. Don’t be insatiable, lest you offend. (WEB) 18 And if you sit among many, Don’t reach out your hand before them. (WEB) 19 How sufficient to a well-mannered man is a very little. He doesn’t breathe heavily in his bed. (WEB) 20 Healthy sleep comes from moderate eating. He rises early, and his wits are with him. The pain of wakefulness, colic, and griping are with an insatiable man. (WEB) 21 And if you have been forced to eat, rise up in the middle of it, and you shall have rest. (WEB) 22 Hear me, my son, and don’t despise me, and in the end you will appreciate my words. In all your works be skillful, and no disease will come to you. (WEB) 23 People bless him who is liberal with his food. The testimony of his excellence will be believed. (WEB) 24 The city will murmur at him who is a stingy with his food. The testimony of his stinginess will be accurate. (WEB) 25 Don’t show yourself valiant in wine, for wine has destroyed many. (WEB) 26 The furnace tests the temper of steel by dipping; so does wine test hearts in the quarreling of the proud. (WEB) 27 Wine is as good as life to men, if you drink it in moderation. What life is there t… (WEB)
Sirach 31:1–31
Semantically similar passages
Sirach 18:31–33
31 If you give fully to your soul the delight of her desire, she will make you the laughing stock of your enemies. (WEB) 32 Don’t make merry in much luxury, and don’t be tied to its expense. (WEB) 33 Don’t be made a beggar by banqueting with borrowed money when you have nothing in… (WEB)
Proverbs 21:16–18
16 The man who strays from the path of understanding will rest in the assembly of the dead. 17 He who loves pleasure will become poor; the one who loves wine and oil will never be rich. 18 The wicked become a ransom for the righteous, and the faithless for the upright.
Sirach 37:28–30
28 For not all things are profitable for all men. Not every soul has pleasure in everything. (WEB) 29 Don’t be insatiable in any luxury. Don’t be greedy in the things that you eat. (WEB) 30 For overeating brings disease, and gluttony causes nausea. (WEB)
Proverbs 23:3–5
3 Do not crave his delicacies, for that food is deceptive. 4 Do not wear yourself out to get rich; be wise enough to restrain yourself. 5 When you glance at wealth, it disappears, for it makes wings for itself and flies like an eagle to the sky.
Testament of Judah 3:24–26
24 Observe, therefore, my children, the right limit in wine; for there are in it four evil spirits--of lust, of hot desire, of profligacy, of filthy lucre. (T12) 25 If ye drink wine in gladness, be ye modest in the fear of God. (T12) 26 For if in your gladness the fear of God depar… (T12)
Sirach 4:1–3
1 My son, don’t deprive the poor of his living. Don’t make the needy eyes wait long. (WEB) 2 Don’t make a hungry soul sorrowful, or provoke a man in his distress. (WEB) 3 Don’t add more trouble to a heart that is provoked. Don’t put off giving to him who is in need. (WEB)
Sirach 5:1–2
1 Don’t set your heart upon your goods. Don’t say, “They are sufficient for me.” (WEB) 2 Don’t follow your own mind and your strength to walk in the desires of your heart. (WEB)
Proverbs 23:19–21
19 Listen, my son, and be wise, and guide your heart on the right course. 20 Do not join those who drink too much wine or gorge themselves on meat. 21 For the drunkard and the glutton will come to poverty, and drowsiness will clothe them in rags.
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