Ecclesiasticus, 32
1. Have they made you the presider? Do not let it go to your head, behave like everyone else in the party, see that they are happy and then sit down yourself.
1. Wakefulness over wealth wastes away one's flesh, and anxiety about it removes sleep.
2. Having discharged your duties, take your place so that your joy may be through theirs, and you may receive the crown for your competence.
2. Wakeful anxiety prevents slumber, and a severe illness carries off sleep.
3. Speak, old man -- it is proper that you should -- but with discretion: do not spoil the music.
3. The rich man toils as his wealth accumulates, and when he rests he fills himself with his dainties.
4. If someone is singing, do not ramble on and do not play the sage at the wrong moment.
4. The poor man toils as his livelihood diminishes, and when he rests he becomes needy.
5. An amber seal on a precious stone, such is a concert of music at a wine feast.
5. He who loves gold will not be justified, and he who pursues money will be led astray by it.
6. An emerald seal in a golden setting, such are strains of music with a vintage wine.
6. Many have come to ruin because of gold, and their destruction has met them face to face.
7. Speak, young man, when you must, but twice at most, and then only if questioned.
7. It is a stumbling block to those who are devoted to it, and every fool will be taken captive by it.
8. Keep to the point, say much in few words; give the impression of knowing but not wanting to speak.
8. Blessed is the rich man who is found blameless, and who does not go after gold.
9. Among eminent people do not behave as though you were their equal; do not make frivolous remarks when someone else is speaking.
9. Who is he? And we will call him blessed, for he has done wonderful things among his people.
10. Lightning comes before the thunder, favour goes ahead of a modest person.
10. Who has been tested by it and been found perfect? Let it be for him a ground for boasting. Who has had the power to transgress and did not transgress, and to do evil and did not do it?
11. Leave in good time, do not bring up the rear, and hurry home without loitering.
11. His prosperity will be established, and the assembly will relate his acts of charity.
12. There amuse yourself, and do what you have a mind to, but do not sin by arrogant talk.
12. Are you seated at the table of a great man? Do not be greedy at it, and do not say, "There is certainly much upon it!"
13. And for all this bless your Creator, who intoxicates you with his favours.
13. Remember that a greedy eye is a bad thing. What has been created more greedy than the eye? Therefore it sheds tears from every face.
14. Whoever fears the Lord will accept his correction; those who look for him will win his favour.
14. Do not reach out your hand for everything you see, and do not crowd your neighbor at the dish.
15. Whoever seeks the Law will be nourished by it, the hypocrite will find it a stumbling-block.
15. Judge your neighbor's feelings by your own, and in every matter be thoughtful.
16. Those who fear the Lord win his approval, their good deeds shining like a light.
16. Eat like a human being what is set before you, and do not chew greedily, lest you be hated.
17. The sinner waves reproof aside, he finds an excuse for headstrong behaviour.
17. Be the first to stop eating, for the sake of good manners, and do not be insatiable, lest you give offense.
18. A sensible person never scorns a warning; foreigners and the proud do not know about fear.
18. If you are seated among many persons, do not reach out your hand before they do.
19. Never act without reflection, and you will not regret your actions.
19. How ample a little is for a well-disciplined man! He does not breathe heavily upon his bed.
20. Do not venture on a rough road, for fear of stumbling over the stones.
20. Healthy sleep depends on moderate eating; he rises early, and feels fit. The distress of sleeplessness and of nausea and colic are with the glutton.
21. Do not be over-confident on an even road
21. If you are overstuffed with food, get up in the middle of the meal, and you will have relief.
22. and beware of your own children.
22. Listen to me, my son, and do not disregard me, and in the end you will appreciate my words. In all your work be industrious, and no sickness will overtake you.
23. Watch yourself in everything you do; this is also the way to keep the commandments.
23. Men will praise the one who is liberal with food, and their testimony to his excellence is trustworthy.
24. Anyone who trusts in the Law obeys its precepts, no one who has confidence in the Lord will come to harm.
24. The city will complain of the one who is niggardly with food, and their testimony to his niggardliness is accurate.
25.
25. Do not aim to be valiant over wine, for wine has destroyed many.
26.
26. Fire and water prove the temper of steel, so wine tests hearts in the strife of the proud.
27.
27. Wine is like life to men, if you drink it in moderation. What is life to a man who is without wine? It has been created to make men glad.
28.
28. Wine drunk in season and temperately is rejoicing of heart and gladness of soul.
29.
29. Wine drunk to excess is bitterness of soul, with provocation and stumbling.
30.
30. Drunkenness increases the anger of a fool to his injury, reducing his strength and adding wounds.
31.
31. Do not reprove your neighbor at a banquet of wine, and do not despise him in his merrymaking; speak no word of reproach to him, and do not afflict him by making demands of him.
