Sirach · Catholic Public Domain Version
Sirach 31 Catholic Public Domain Version
Notes on this text (3)
- Esther and Daniel are the Vulgate books (Esther 1–16 with the Greek additions as chapters 10:4–16; Daniel 1–14 with the Song of the Three, Susanna and Bel). Baruch 6 is the Letter of Jeremiah.
- The translator's footnotes, cross-references, chapter summaries and book introductions in the CrossWire module are not shown.
- No imprimatur; single translator.
Sirach is not in RV1909.
1 Watching for wealth consumes the flesh, and thinking about it takes away sleep.
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2 Anticipation in thought distracts the mind, and a grievous infirmity makes the soul sober.
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3 The rich man has labored in gathering wealth, and in his rest, he will be filled with his goods.
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4 The poor man has labored in his lowly way, and in the end, he may still be in need.
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5 Whoever loves gold will not be justified. And whoever pursues consumption will be consumed by it.
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6 Many have been caused to fall because of gold, and it became their ruin by its beauty.
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7 Gold is a stumbling block to those who sacrifice for it. Woe to those who pursue it eagerly, for all the imprudent will perish by it.
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8 Blessed is the rich man who is found to be without blemish. And blessed is he who has not gone after gold, nor placed his hope in money or treasures.
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9 Who is he? For we should praise him. For he has done wonderful things in his life.
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10 He has been tested by it, and has become perfect; he will have eternal glory. He was able to transgress, but he has not transgressed. He was able to do evil, but he has not done evil.
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11 Therefore, his good things are established in the Lord, and the entire Church of the saints will proclaim his almsgiving.
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12 Are you seated at a great table? You should not open your mouth over it first.
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13 You should not speak in this way: “There are many things that are upon it.”
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14 Remember that a wicked eye is evil.
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15 What has been made more wicked than the eye? Therefore, when it sees, it will shed tears over the entire face.
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16 You should not extend your hand first, for then, having been corrupted by envy, you would be ashamed.
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17 You should not press forward at a feast.
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18 Understand which things are your neighbor’s and not your own.
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19 Make use of the things that are set before you, just as a frugal man would. Otherwise, if you eat much, you will be hated.
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20 Cease eating first, for the sake of discipline. And do not eat to excess, lest you offend.
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21 And if you sit in the midst of many, you should not extend your hand before they do, and you should not be the first to ask for a drink.
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22 How sufficient is a little wine for a well-taught man! For in sleep, you will not labor because of it, and you will not feel pain.
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23 Worry, and disease, and torment are with an intemperate man.
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24 A healthy sleep is with a temperate man. He will sleep until morning, and his soul will be delighted with him.
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25 And if you have been coaxed into eating too much, rise up, go outside, and vomit. And it will refresh you, and you will not bring sickness upon your body.
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26 Listen to me, son, for you should not spurn me. And in the very end, you will discover my words.
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27 In all your works, be prompt, and then no infirmity will befall you.
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28 The lips of many will bless the splendid in bread. For the testimony of his truthfulness is faithful.
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29 The city will murmur against the wicked in bread. For the testimony against his wickedness is true.
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30 Do not choose to provoke those who love wine. For wine has destroyed many.
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31 Fire tests the hardness of iron; similarly, drinking wine to inebriation will rebuke the hearts of the arrogant.
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32 Drinking wine in sobriety gives a contented life to men. If you drink it in moderation, you will be sober.
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33 What is life to him who is diminished by wine?
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34 What can cheat him of his life? Death.
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35 From the beginning, wine was created for cheerfulness, but not for inebriation.
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36 Wine taken in moderation lifts up the mind and the heart.
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37 Sober drinking is healthful to mind and body.
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38 Wine taken in excess stirs up conflict and anger, and brings many to ruin.
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39 Wine taken in excess is bitter to the soul.
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40 The effects of inebriation are a stumbling block to the imprudent, diminishing strength and causing wounds.
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41 You should not argue with your neighbor during a banquet of wine. And you should not spurn him in his cheerfulness.
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42 You should not speak words of reproach to him. And you should not press him with repeated requests.
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