Ecclesiasticus, 31

1. Watching for riches consumeth the flesh, and the care thereof driveth away sleep.

1. The sleeplessness that wealth brings makes a man lose weight; his worries drive sleep away.

2. Watching care will not let a man slumber, as a sore disease breaketh sleep,

2. The cares of the day prevent sleep; in the same way, serious illness makes rest impossible.

3. The rich hath great labour in gathering riches together; and when he resteth, he is filled with his delicates.

3. The rich man toils to increase his wealth and then sits back and lives in luxury;

4. The poor laboureth in his poor estate; and when he leaveth off, he is still needy.

4. the poor man toils to survive and is in want as soon as he leaves off.

5. He that loveth gold shall not be justified, and he that followeth corruption shall have enough thereof.

5. He who loves gold cannot be righteous; whoever runs after gain will be led astray.

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

6. Many have been ruined because of gold; disgrace went to meet them.

7. It is a stumblingblock unto them that sacrifice unto it, and every fool shall be taken therewith.

7. Gold is a snare for those who are possessed by love of it. The senseless will be caught in it.

8. Blessed is the rich that is found without blemish, and hath not gone after gold.

8. Happy is the rich man who has not sinned in this way and has not gone after gold!

9. Who is he? and we will call him blessed: for wonderful things hath he done among his people.

9. Who is he? Let us say: Fortunate man! For he has given a wonderful example.

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?

10. Who has been tested in this and found perfect? He has reason to be proud. Who could have sinned but resisted, who could have done wrong and did not do it?

11. His goods shall be established, and the congregation shall declare his alms.

11. His fortune is firmly established and the assembly will acknowledge his generosity.

12. If thou sit at a bountiful table, be not greedy upon it, and say not, There is much meat on it.

12. Are you seated at a lavish banquet? Don't be over-ready to eat and don't say, "What a feast!"

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.

13. Remember that a greedy eye is an evil thing. What is worse than such an eye? That is why it was condemned to weep.

14. Stretch not thine hand whithersoever it looketh, and thrust it not with him into the dish.

14. Do not stretch out your hand to everything you see or be quick in reaching for a dish.

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

15. Judge the needs of your fellow guest by your own and in all things act prudently.

16. Eat as it becometh a man, those things which are set before thee; and devour note, lest thou be hated.

16. Eat what is set before you like an educated person and don't be a glutton, lest you be detested.

17. Leave off first for manners' sake; and be not unsatiable, lest thou offend.

17. Like a well-mannered man, be the first to stop; don't be voracious if you are to avoid difficulties.

18. When thou sittest among many, reach not thine hand out first of all.

18. If important people are present, do not be the first to serve yourself.

19. A very little is sufficient for a man well nurtured, and he fetcheth not his wind short upon his bed.

19. A little is sufficient for a well-bred person; your breathing moreover will be easier when you go to bed.

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.

20. Healthy sleeping is for the moderate eater. He rises early and feels fit! Sleeplessness and stomach trouble attend the overindulgent.

21. And if thou hast been forced to eat, arise, go forth, vomit, and thou shalt have rest.

21. If you are obliged to eat too much, go off and vomit and you will be at ease.

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.

22. Listen to me, my friend, and do not neglect what I say; in the end you will see the truth of it. Be moderate in all that you do and you will be without illness.

23. Whoso is liberal of his meat, men shall speak well of him; and the report of his good housekeeping will be believed.

23. A generous host is appreciated: he is justly praised,

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.

24. but everyone will complain about a stingy host and their complaints will be justified.

25. Shew not thy valiantness in wine; for wine hath destroyed many.

25. Do not try to show how much wine you can take, for wine has been the ruin of many.

26. The furnace proveth the edge by dipping: so doth wine the hearts of the proud by drunkeness.

26. As the furnace tests the temper of steel, so wine proves hearts and makes proud men quarrel.

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.

27. Wine is life for man if taken in moderation. What is life without wine?

28. Wine measurably drunk and in season bringeth gladness of the heart, and cheerfulness of the mind:

28. Wine makes for a glad heart and a cheerful mind, if taken moderately and at the right time.

29. But wine drunken with excess maketh bitterness of the mind, with brawling and quarrelling.

29. But if taken to excess it brings bitterness of soul, excitement and a fumbling step.

30. Drunkenness increaseth the rage of a fool till he offend: it diminisheth strength, and maketh wounds.

30. Drunkenness inflames the anger of a stupid person to the point of scandal. It reduces his strength and brings him blows.

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.]

31. Do not reproach a neighbor during a wine feast, and don't look down on him when he is merry; do not speak harshly to him or annoy him by asking him to settle a debt.