Bible Text & Cross-references:
Of the desire of riches, and of moderation in eating and drinking.
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 stumbling-block 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 And 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 life 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 stumbling-block of the fool, lessening
strength, and causing wounds.
41 Rebuke not thy neighbour in a banquet of wine: and despise him not in
his mirth.
42 Speak not to him words of reproach: and press him not in demanding again.
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*
6: Ecclesiasticus viii. 3.
30: Judith xiii. 4.
35: Psalm ciii. 15.; Proverbs xxxi. 4.