Book 26 Ecclesiasticus (continued 1)
Project Gutenberg EPUB3 edition
30:18. Good things that are hidden in a mouth that is shut, are as messes of meat set about a grave.
30:19. What good shall an offering do to an idol? for it can neither eat, nor smell:
30:20. So is he that is persecuted by the Lord, bearing the reward of his iniquity:
30:21. He seeth with his eyes, and groaneth, as an eunuch embracing a virgin, and sighing.
30:22. Give not up thy soul to sadness, and afflict not thyself in thy own counsel.
30:23. The joyfulness of the heart, is the life of a man, and a never failing treasure of holiness: and the joy of a man is length of life.
30:24. Have pity on thy own soul, pleasing God, and contain thyself: gather up thy heart in his holiness: and drive away sadness far from thee.
30:25. For sadness hath killed many, and there is no profit in it.
30:26. Envy and anger shorten a man's days, and pensiveness will bring old age before the time.
30:27. A cheerful and good heart is always feasting: for his banquets are prepared with diligence.
Ecclesiasticus Chapter 31
Of the desire of riches, and of moderation in eating and drinking.
31:1. Watching for riches consumeth the flesh, and the thought thereof driveth away sleep.
31:2. The thinking beforehand turneth away the understanding, and a grievous sickness maketh the soul sober.
31:3. The rich man hath laboured in gathering riches together, and when he resteth he shall be filled with his goods.
31:4. The poor man hath laboured in his low way of life, and in the end he is still poor.
31:5. He that loveth gold, shall not be justified: and he that followeth after corruption, shall be filled with it.
31:6. Many have been brought to fall for gold, and the beauty thereof hath been their ruin.
31:7. 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.
31:8. 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.
31:9. Who is he, and we will praise him? for he hath done wonderful things in his life.
31:10. 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:
31:11. Therefore are his goods established in the Lord, and all the church of the saints shall declare his alms.
31:12. Art thou set at a great table? be not the first to open thy mouth upon it.
31:13. Say not: There are many things which are upon it.
31:14. Remember that a wicked eye is evil.
31:15. What is created more wicked than an eye? therefore shall it weep over all the face when it shall see.
31:16. Stretch not out thy hand first, lest being disgraced with envy thou be put to confusion.
31:17. Be not hasty in a feast.
31:18. Judge of the disposition of thy neighbour by thyself.
31:19. Use as a frugal man the things that are set before thee: lest if thou eatest much, thou be hated.
31:20. Leave off first, for manners' sake: and exceed not, lest thou offend.
31:21. And if thou sittest among many, reach not thy hand out first of all, and be not the first to ask for drink.
31:22. 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.
31:23. Watching, and choler, and gripes, are with an intemperate man:
31:24. Sound and wholesome sleep with a moderate man: he shall sleep till morning, and his soul shall be delighted with him.
31:25. 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.
31:26. Hear me, my son, and despise me not: and in the end thou shalt find my words.
31:27. In all thy works be quick, and no infirmity shall come to thee.
31:28. The lips of many shall bless him that is liberal of his bread, and the testimony of his truth is faithful.