The Book of Sirach (or Ecclesiasticus) [The Wisdom of Jesus the Son of Sirach, or Ecclesiasticus]
Project Gutenberg EPUB edition
Anonymous
31:7 It is a stumblingblock unto them that sacrifice unto it, and every fool shall be taken therewith.
31:8 Blessed is the rich that is found without blemish, and hath not gone after gold.
31:9 Who is he? and we will call him blessed: for wonderful things hath he done among his people.
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?
31:11 His goods shall be established, and the congregation shall declare his alms.
31:12 If thou sit at a bountiful table, be not greedy upon it, and say not, There is much meat on it.
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.
31:14 Stretch not thine hand whithersoever it looketh, and thrust it not with him into the dish.
31:15 Judge not thy neighbour by thyself: and be discreet in every point.
31:16 Eat as it becometh a man, those things which are set before thee; and devour not, lest thou be hated.
31:17 Leave off first for manners’ sake; and be not unsatiable, lest thou offend.
31:18 When thou sittest among many, reach not thine hand out first of all.
31:19 A very little is sufficient for a man well nurtured, and he fetcheth not his wind short upon his bed.
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.
31:21 And if thou hast been forced to eat, arise, go forth, vomit, and thou shalt have rest.
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.
31:23 Whoso is liberal of his meat, men shall speak well of him; and the report of his good housekeeping will be believed.
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.
31:25 Shew not thy valiantness in wine; for wine hath destroyed many.
31:26 The furnace proveth the edge by dipping: so doth wine the hearts of the proud by drunkeness.
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.
31:28 Wine measurably drunk and in season bringeth gladness of the heart, and cheerfulness of the mind:
31:29 But wine drunken with excess maketh bitterness of the mind, with brawling and quarrelling.
31:30 Drunkenness increaseth the rage of a fool till he offend: it diminisheth strength, and maketh wounds.
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.]
32:1 If thou be made the master [of a feast,] lift not thyself up, but be among them as one of the rest; take diligent care for them, and so sit down.
32:2 And when thou hast done all thy office, take thy place, that thou mayest be merry with them, and receive a crown for thy well ordering of the feast.
32:3 Speak, thou that art the elder, for it becometh thee, but with sound judgment; and hinder not musick.
32:4 Pour not out words where there is a musician, and shew not forth wisdom out of time.
32:5 A concert of musick in a banquet of wine is as a signet of carbuncle set in gold.
32:6 As a signet of an emerald set in a work of gold, so is the melody of musick with pleasant wine.
32:7 Speak, young man, if there be need of thee: and yet scarcely when thou art twice asked.
32:8 Let thy speech be short, comprehending much in few words; be as one that knoweth and yet holdeth his tongue.
32:9 If thou be among great men, make not thyself equal with them; and when ancient men are in place, use not many words.
32:10 Before the thunder goeth lightning; and before a shamefaced man shall go favour.
32:11 Rise up betimes, and be not the last; but get thee home without delay.
32:12 There take thy pastime, and do what thou wilt: but sin not by proud speech.
32:13 And for these things bless him that made thee, and hath replenished thee with his good things.
32:14 Whoso feareth the Lord will receive his discipline; and they that seek him early shall find favour.
32:15 He that seeketh the law shall be filled therewith: but the hypocrite will be offended thereat.