Ecclesiasticus 31:1
Watching for riches consumeth the flesh, and the care thereof driveth away sleep.
Ecclesiasticus 31:2
Watching care will not let a man slumber, as a sore disease breaketh sleep,
Ecclesiasticus 31:3
The rich hath great labour in gathering riches together; and when he resteth, he is filled with his delicates.
Ecclesiasticus 31:4
The poor laboureth in his poor estate; and when he leaveth off, he is still needy.
Ecclesiasticus 31:5
He that loveth gold shall not be justified, and he that followeth corruption shall have enough thereof.
Ecclesiasticus 31:6
Gold hath been the ruin of many, and their destruction was present.
Ecclesiasticus 31:7
It is a stumblingblock unto them that sacrifice unto it, and every fool shall be taken therewith.
Ecclesiasticus 31:8
Blessed is the rich that is found without blemish, and hath not gone after gold.
Ecclesiasticus 31:9
Who is he? and we will call him blessed: for wonderful things hath he done among his people.
Ecclesiasticus 31:10
Who hath been tried thereby, and found perfect? then let him glory. Who might offend, and hath not offended? or done evil, and hath not done it?
Ecclesiasticus 31:11
His goods shall be established, and the congregation shall declare his alms.
Ecclesiasticus 31:12
If thou sit at a bountiful table, be not greedy upon it, and say not, There is much meat on it.
Ecclesiasticus 31:13
Remember that a wicked eye is an evil thing: and what is created more wicked than an eye? therefore it weepeth upon every occasion.
Ecclesiasticus 31:14
Stretch not thine hand whithersoever it looketh, and thrust it not with him into the dish.
Ecclesiasticus 31:15
Judge not thy neighbour by thyself: and be discreet in every point.
Ecclesiasticus 31:16
Eat as it becometh a man, those things which are set before thee; and devour not, lest thou be hated.
Ecclesiasticus 31:17
Leave off first for manners’ sake; and be not unsatiable, lest thou offend.
Ecclesiasticus 31:18
When thou sittest among many, reach not thine hand out first of all.
Ecclesiasticus 31:19
A very little is sufficient for a man well nurtured, and he fetcheth not his wind short upon his bed.
Ecclesiasticus 31:20
Sound sleep cometh of moderate eating: he riseth early, and his wits are with him: but the pain of watching, and choler, and pangs of the belly, are with an unsatiable man.
Ecclesiasticus 31:21
And if thou hast been forced to eat, arise, go forth, vomit, and thou shalt have rest.
Ecclesiasticus 31:22
My son, hear me, and despise me not, and at the last thou shalt find as I told thee: in all thy works be quick, so shall there no sickness come unto thee.
Ecclesiasticus 31:23
Whoso is liberal of his meat, men shall speak well of him; and the report of his good housekeeping will be believed.
Ecclesiasticus 31:24
But against him that is a niggard of his meat the whole city shall murmur; and the testimonies of his niggardness shall not be doubted of.
Ecclesiasticus 31:25
Shew not thy valiantness in wine; for wine hath destroyed many.
Ecclesiasticus 31:26
The furnace proveth the edge by dipping: so doth wine the hearts of the proud by drunkeness.
Ecclesiasticus 31:27
Wine is as good as life to a man, if it be drunk moderately: what life is then to a man that is without wine? for it was made to make men glad.
Ecclesiasticus 31:28
Wine measurably drunk and in season bringeth gladness of the heart, and cheerfulness of the mind:
Ecclesiasticus 31:29
But wine drunken with excess maketh bitterness of the mind, with brawling and quarrelling.
Ecclesiasticus 31:30
Drunkenness increaseth the rage of a fool till he offend: it diminisheth strength, and maketh wounds.
Ecclesiasticus 31:31
Rebuke not thy neighbour at the wine, and despise him not in his mirth: give him no despiteful words, and press not upon him with urging him to drink.