Be Wise with Wealth
Wisdom of Sirach 31, verse 1. Losing sleep over wealth wastes away the body, And anxiety about wealth removes sleep. Wisdom of Sirach 31, verse 2. Sleepless anxiety will drive away slumber, And severe illness makes an end to sleep. Wisdom of Sirach 31, verse 3. A rich man labors to gather money, And when he rests he fills himself with his luxuries. Wisdom of Sirach 31, verse 4. A poor man labors to make a meager living, And when he rests he becomes needy. Wisdom of Sirach 31, verse 5. He who loves gold will not be called righteous, And he who pursues profit will be led astray by it. Wisdom of Sirach 31, verse 6. Many are driven to calamity for the sake of gold, And their destruction has met them face to face. Wisdom of Sirach 31, verse 7. It is a stumbling block for those possessed by it, And every senseless man will be trapped by it. Wisdom of Sirach 31, verse 8. Blessed is a rich man who is found blameless And does not chase after gold. Wisdom of Sirach 31, verse 9. Who is he? And we shall call him blessed, For he has worked wonders among his people. Wisdom of Sirach 31, verse 10. Who has been tested by it and found perfect? He has ground for boasting. Who was able to transgress but did not transgress? Who was able to commit evil but did not do it? Wisdom of Sirach 31, verse 11. His good things will be strengthened, And the assembly will talk of his almsgiving.
Food and Drink
Wisdom of Sirach 31, verse 12. Are you seated at table with a great man? Do not gluttonize, and do not say, “How much food there is upon your table!” Wisdom of Sirach 31, verse 13. Remember that a greedy eye is a vice. What has been created worse than the eye? Therefore it sheds tears on every face. Wisdom of Sirach 31, verse 14. Do not stretch out your hand for everything you see, And do not crowd another at the dish. Wisdom of Sirach 31, verse 15. Understand the things of your neighbor by your own, And in every matter be considerate. Wisdom of Sirach 31, verse 16. Eat what is set before you like a human being, And do not devour your food, lest you be despised. Wisdom of Sirach 31, verse 17. Be the first to stop eating for the sake of discipline, And do not be greedy, so as not to cause offense. Wisdom of Sirach 31, verse 18. And if you are seated in a large group of people, Do not reach out your hand before they do. Wisdom of Sirach 31, verse 19. How small an amount is sufficient for a man with discipline! And he does not gasp for breath on his bed. Wisdom of Sirach 31, verse 20. Healthy sleep depends on moderate eating, And he rises early and in good spirits; But the distress of sleeplessness, nausea, and indigestion Are with the glutton. Wisdom of Sirach 31, verse 21. If you are stuffed with food, Get up in the middle of the meal and stop eating. Wisdom of Sirach 31, verse 22. Listen to me, my child, and do not disregard me, And you will find my words to be important. In all your works be prepared, And no sickness will overtake you. Wisdom of Sirach 31, verse 23. Lips will bless a man generous with his food, And their witness to his goodness is trustworthy. Wisdom of Sirach 31, verse 24. A city will grumble against the man stingy with his food, And their witness to his stinginess is accurate. Wisdom of Sirach 31, verse 25. Do not get your courage from wine, For wine has destroyed many men. Wisdom of Sirach 31, verse 26. As a furnace tests steel in the tempering process, So wine tests hearts in the quarrels of the arrogant. Wisdom of Sirach 31, verse 27. Wine is like life to men, If you drink it in moderation. What is life without wine? For it was created to give gladness to men. Wisdom of Sirach 31, verse 28. Wine drunk at the proper time and with temperance Is joyfulness of heart and gladness of soul. Wisdom of Sirach 31, verse 29. Drinking too much wine is bitterness of soul, With irritation and occasion for stumbling and falling. Wisdom of Sirach 31, verse 30. Drunkenness increases the anger of a senseless man to his own hurt, Reducing his strength and adding to his wounds. Wisdom of Sirach 31, verse 31. Do not rebuke your neighbor at a wine party, And do not despise him when he is enjoying himself. Do not speak a word of insult against him, And do not afflict him by making demands of him.