Sir 31:1 

Watching for riches consumeth the flesh, and the care thereof 

driveth away sleep. 

Sir 31:2 

Watching care will not let a man slumber, as a sore disease 

breaketh sleep, 

Sir 31:3 

The rich hath great labour in gathering riches together; and 

when he resteth, he is filled with his delicates. 

Sir 31:4 

The poor laboureth in his poor estate; and when he leaveth 

off, he is still needy. 

Sir 31:5 

He that loveth gold shall not be justified, and he that 

followeth corruption shall have enough thereof. 

Sir 31:6 

Gold hath been the ruin of many, and their destruction was 

present. 

Sir 31:7 

It is a stumblingblock unto them that sacrifice unto it, and 

every fool shall be taken therewith. 

Sir 31:8 

Blessed is the rich that is found without blemish, and hath 

not gone after gold. 

Sir 31:9 

Who is he? and we will call him blessed: for wonderful things 

hath he done among his people. 

Sir 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? 

Sir 31:11 

His goods shall be established, and the congregation shall 

declare his alms. 

Sir 31:12 

If thou sit at a bountiful table, be not greedy upon it, and 

say not, There is much meat on it. 

Sir 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. 

Sir 31:14 

Stretch not thine hand whithersoever it looketh, and thrust 

it not with him into the dish. 

Sir 31:15 

Judge not thy neighbour by thyself: and be discreet in every 

point. 

Sir 31:16 

Eat as it becometh a man, those things which are set before 

thee; and devour note, lest thou be hated. 

Sir 31:17 

Leave off first for manners' sake; and be not unsatiable, 

lest thou offend. 

Sir 31:18 

When thou sittest among many, reach not thine hand out first 

of all. 

Sir 31:19 

A very little is sufficient for a man well nurtured, and he 

fetcheth not his wind short upon his bed. 

Sir 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. 

Sir 31:21 

And if thou hast been forced to eat, arise, go forth, vomit, 

and thou shalt have rest. 

Sir 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. 

Sir 31:23 

Whoso is liberal of his meat, men shall speak well of him; 

and the report of his good housekeeping will be believed. 

Sir 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. 

Sir 31:25 

Shew not thy valiantness in wine; for wine hath destroyed 

many. 

Sir 31:26 

The furnace proveth the edge by dipping: so doth wine the 

hearts of the proud by drunkeness. 

Sir 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. 

Sir 31:28 

Wine measurably drunk and in season bringeth gladness of the 

heart, and cheerfulness of the mind: 

Sir 31:29 

But wine drunken with excess maketh bitterness of the mind, 

with brawling and quarrelling. 

Sir 31:30 

Drunkenness increaseth the rage of a fool till he offend: it 

diminisheth strength, and maketh wounds. 

Sir 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.]