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.
1 Watching for wealth consumes the flesh, and thinking about it takes away sleep.
1 Wakefulness that comes from riches consumes the flesh, and anxiety about it takes away sleep.
2 Anticipation in thought distracts the mind, and a grievous infirmity makes the soul sober.
2 Wakeful anxiety will crave slumber. In a severe disease, sleep will be broken.
3 The rich man has labored in gathering wealth, and in his rest, he will be filled with his goods.
3 A rich man toils in gathering money together. When he rests, he is filled with his good things.
4 The poor man has labored in his lowly way, and in the end, he may still be in need.
4 A poor man toils in lack of substance. When he rests, he becomes needy.
5 Whoever loves gold will not be justified. And whoever pursues consumption will be consumed by it.
5 He who loves gold won’t be justified. He who follows destruction will himself have his fill of it.
6 Many have been caused to fall because of gold, and it became their ruin by its beauty.
6 Many have been given over to ruin for the sake of gold. Their destruction meets them face to face.
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.
7 It is a stumbling block to those who sacrifice to it. Every fool will be taken by it.
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.
8 Blessed is the rich person who is found blameless, and who doesn’t go after gold.
9 Who is he? For we should praise him. For he has done wonderful things in his life.
9 Who is he, that we may call him blessed? For he has done wonderful things among his people.
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.
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?
11 Therefore, his good things are established in the Lord, and the entire Church of the saints will proclaim his almsgiving.
11 His prosperity will be made sure. The congregation will proclaim his alms.
12 Are you seated at a great table? You should not open your mouth over it first.
12 Do you sit at a great table? Don’t be greedy there. Don’t say, “There is a lot of food on it!”
13 You should not speak in this way: “There are many things that are upon it.”
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.
14 Remember that a wicked eye is evil.
14 Don’t stretch your hand wherever it looks. Don’t thrust yourself with it into the dish.
15 What has been made more wicked than the eye? Therefore, when it sees, it will shed tears over the entire face.
15 Consider your neighbor’s feelings by your own. Be discreet in every point.
16 You should not extend your hand first, for then, having been corrupted by envy, you would be ashamed.
16 Eat like a human being those things which are set before you. Don’t eat greedily, lest you be hated.
17 You should not press forward at a feast.
17 Be first to stop for manners’ sake. Don’t be insatiable, lest you offend.
18 Understand which things are your neighbor’s and not your own.
18 And if you sit among many, Don’t reach out your hand before them.
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.
19 How sufficient to a well-mannered man is a very little. He doesn’t breathe heavily in his bed.
20 Cease eating first, for the sake of discipline. And do not eat to excess, lest you offend.
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.
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.
21 And if you have been forced to eat, rise up in the middle of it, and you shall have rest.
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.
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.
23 Worry, and disease, and torment are with an intemperate man.
23 People bless him who is liberal with his food. The testimony of his excellence will be believed.
24 A healthy sleep is with a temperate man. He will sleep until morning, and his soul will be delighted with him.
24 The city will murmur at him who is a stingy with his food. The testimony of his stinginess will be accurate.
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.
25 Don’t show yourself valiant in wine, for wine has destroyed many.
26 Listen to me, son, for you should not spurn me. And in the very end, you will discover my words.
26 The furnace tests the temper of steel by dipping; so does wine test hearts in the quarreling of the proud.
27 In all your works, be prompt, and then no infirmity will befall you.
27 Wine is as good as life to men, if you drink it in moderation. What life is there to a man who is without wine? It has been created to make men glad.
28 The lips of many will bless the splendid in bread. For the testimony of his truthfulness is faithful.
28 Wine drunk in season and in moderation is joy of heart and gladness of soul:
29 The city will murmur against the wicked in bread. For the testimony against his wickedness is true.
29 Wine drunk excessively is bitterness of soul, with provocation and conflict.
30 Do not choose to provoke those who love wine. For wine has destroyed many.
30 Drunkenness increases the rage of a fool to his hurt. It diminishes strength and adds wounds.
31 Fire tests the hardness of iron; similarly, drinking wine to inebriation will rebuke the hearts of the arrogant.
31 Don’t rebuke your neighbor at a banquet of wine. Don’t despise him in his mirth. Don’t speak a word of reproach to him. Don’t distress him by making demands of him.
32 Drinking wine in sobriety gives a contented life to men. If you drink it in moderation, you will be sober.
32 Not in this translation
33 What is life to him who is diminished by wine?
33 Not in this translation
34 What can cheat him of his life? Death.
34 Not in this translation
35 From the beginning, wine was created for cheerfulness, but not for inebriation.
35 Not in this translation
36 Wine taken in moderation lifts up the mind and the heart.
36 Not in this translation
37 Sober drinking is healthful to mind and body.
37 Not in this translation
38 Wine taken in excess stirs up conflict and anger, and brings many to ruin.
38 Not in this translation
39 Wine taken in excess is bitter to the soul.
39 Not in this translation
40 The effects of inebriation are a stumbling block to the imprudent, diminishing strength and causing wounds.
40 Not in this translation
41 You should not argue with your neighbor during a banquet of wine. And you should not spurn him in his cheerfulness.
41 Not in this translation
42 You should not speak words of reproach to him. And you should not press him with repeated requests.
42 Not in this translation