The Catholic Apocrypha

Sirach 31

[1]WATCHING for riches consumeth the flesh, and the thought thereof driveth away sleep.

[2]The thinking beforehand turneth away the understanding, and a grievous sickness maketh the soul sober.

[3]The rich man hath laboured in gathering riches together, and when he resteth he shall be filled with his goods.

[4]The poor man hath laboured in his low way of life, and in the end he is still poor.

[5]He that loveth gold, shall not be justified: and he that followeth after corruption, shall be filled with it.

[6]Many have been brought to fall for gold, and the beauty thereof hath been their ruin.

[7]Gold is a stumblingblock to them that sacrifice to it: woe to them that eagerly follow after it, and every fool shall perish by it.

[8]Blessed 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.

[9]Who is he, and we will praise him? for he hath done wonderful things in his life.

[10]Who 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:

[11]Therefore are his goods established in the Lord, and all the church of the saints shall declare his alms.

[12]Art thou set at a great table? be not the first to open thy mouth upon it.

[13]Say not: There are many things which are upon it.

[14]Remember that a wicked eye is evil.

[15]What is created more wicked than an eye? therefore shall it weep over all the face when it shall see.

[16]Stretch not out thy hand first, lest being disgraced with envy thou be put to confusion.

[17]Be not hasty in a feast.

[18]Judge of the disposition of thy neighbour by thyself.

[19]Use as a frugal man the things that are set before thee: lest if thou eatest much, thou be hated.

[20]Leave off first, for manners' sake: and exceed not, lest thou offend.

[21]if thou sittest among many, reach not thy hand out first of all: and be not the first to ask for drink.

[22]How 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.

[23]Watching, and choler, and gripes, are with an intemperate man:

[24]Sound and wholesome sleep with a moderate man: he shall sleep till morning, and his soul shall be delighted with him.

[25]And 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.

[26]Hear me, my son, and despise me not: and in the end thou shalt find my words.

[27]In all thy works be quick, and no infirmity shall come to thee.

[28]The lips of many shall bless him that is liberal of his bread, and the testimony of his truth is faithful.

[29]Against him that is niggardly of his bread, the city will murmur, and the testimony of his niggardliness is true.

[30]Challenge not them that love wine: for wine hath destroyed very many.

[31]Fire trieth hard iron: so wine drunk to excess shall rebuke the hearts of the proud.

[32]Wine taken with sobriety is equal lire to men: if thou drink it moderately, thou shalt be sober.

[33]What is his life, who is diminished with wine?

[34]What taketh away life? death.

[35]Wine was created from the beginning to make men joyful, and not to make them drunk.

[36]Wine drunken with moderation is the joy of the soul and the heart.

[37]Sober drinking is health to soul and body.

[38]Wine drunken with excess raiseth quarrels; and wrath, and many ruins.

[39]Wine drunken with excess is bitterness of the soul.

[40]The heat of drunkenness is the stumblingblock of the fool, lessening strength and causing wounds.

[41]Rebuke not thy neighbour in a banquet of wine: and despise him not in hip mirth.

[42]Speak not to him words of reproach: and press him not in demanding again.