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)
Sirach 31:17–20
Semantically similar passages
Sirach 31:11–13
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… (WEB)
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)
Sirach 32:8–10
8 Sum up your speech, many things in few words. Be as one who knows and yet holds his tongue. (WEB) 9 When among great men, don’t behave as their equal. When another is speaking, don’t babble. (WEB) 10 Lightning speeds before thunder. Approval goes before one who is modest. (WEB)
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 23:5–7
5 When you glance at wealth, it disappears, for it makes wings for itself and flies like an eagle to the sky. 6 Do not eat the bread of a stingy man, and do not crave his delicacies; 7 for he is keeping track, inwardly counting the cost. “Eat and drink,” he says to y…
Proverbs 23:1–3
1 When you sit down to dine with a ruler, consider carefully what is set before you, 2 and put a knife to your throat if you possess a great appetite. 3 Do not crave his delicacies, for that food is deceptive.
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.
Sirach 33:28–30
28 Send him to labor, that he not be idle, for idleness teaches much mischief. (WEB) 29 Set him to work, as is fit for him. If he doesn’t obey, make his fetters heavy. (WEB) 30 Don’t be excessive toward any. Do nothing unjust. (WEB)
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