Ecclesiasticus 31

1Watching for riches consumeth the flesh, and the thought thereof driveth away sleep.● 2The thinking beforehand turneth away the understanding, and a grievous sickness maketh the soul sober.● 3The rich man hath laboured in gathering riches together, and when he resteth he shall be filled with his goods.● 4The poor man hath laboured in his low way of life, and in the end he is still poor.● 5He that loveth gold, shall not be justified: and he that followeth after corruption, shall be filled with it.● 6Many have been brought to fall for gold, and the beauty thereof hath been their ruin.● 7Gold is a stumblingblock to them that sacrifice to it: woe to them that eagerly follow after it, and every fool shall perish by it.● 8Blessed is the rich man that is found without blemish: and that hath not gone after gold, nor put his trust in money nor in treasures.● 9Who is he, and we will praise him? for he hath done wonderful things in his life.● 10Who hath been tried thereby, and made perfect, he shall have glory everlasting. He that could have transgressed, and hath not transgressed: and could do evil things, and hath not done them:● 11Therefore are his goods established in the Lord, and all the church of the saints shall declare his alms.● 12Art thou set at a great table? be not the first to open thy mouth upon it.● 13Say not: There are many things which are upon it.● 14Remember that a wicked eye is evil.● 15What is created more wicked than an eye? therefore shall it weep over all the face when it shall see.● 16Stretch not out thy hand first, lest being disgraced with envy thou be put to confusion.● 17Be not hasty in a feast.● 18Judge of the disposition of thy neighbour by thyself.● 19Use as a frugal man the things that are set before thee: lest if thou eatest much, thou be hated.● 20Leave off first, for manners' sake: and exceed not, lest thou offend.● 21And if thou sittest among many, reach not thy hand out first of all, and be not the first to ask for drink.● 22How sufficient is a little wine for a man well taught, and in sleeping thou shalt not be uneasy with it, and thou shalt feel no pain.● 23Watching, and choler, and gripes, are with an intemperate man:● 24Sound and wholesome sleep with a moderate man: he shall sleep till morning, and his soul shall be delighted with him.● 25And if thou hast been forced to eat much, arise, go out, and vomit: and it shall refresh thee, and thou shalt not bring sickness upon thy body.● 26Hear me, my son, and despise me not: and in the end thou shalt find my words.● 27In all thy works be quick, and no infirmity shall come to thee.● 28The lips of many shall bless him that is liberal of his bread, and the testimony of his truth is faithful.● 29Against him that is niggardly of his bread, the city will murmur, and the testimony of his niggardliness is true.● 30Challenge not them that love wine: for wine hath destroyed very many.● 31Fire trieth hard iron: so wine drunk to excess shall rebuke the hearts of the proud.● 32Wine taken with sobriety is equal life to men: if thou drink it moderately, thou shalt be sober.● 33What is his life, who is diminished with wine?● 34What taketh away life? death.● 35Wine was created from the beginning to make men joyful, and not to make them drunk.● 36Wine drunken with moderation is the joy of the soul and the heart.● 37Sober drinking is health to soul and body.● 38Wine drunken with excess raiseth quarrels, and wrath, and many ruins.● 39Wine drunken with excess is bitterness of the soul.● 40The heat of drunkenness is the stumblingblock of the fool, lessening strength and causing wounds.● 41Rebuke not thy neighbour in a banquet of wine: and despise him not in his mirth.● 42Speak not to him words of reproach: and press him not in demanding again.●