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.
31:29. Against him that is niggardly of his bread, the city will murmur,
and the testimony of his niggardliness is true.
31:30. Challenge not them that love wine: for wine hath destroyed very
many.
31:31. Fire trieth hard iron: so wine drunk to excess shall rebuke the
hearts of the proud.
31:32. Wine taken with sobriety is equal life to men: if thou drink it
moderately, thou shalt be sober.
31:33. What is his life, who is diminished with wine?
31:34. What taketh away life? death.
31:35. Wine was created from the beginning to make men joyful, and not
to make them drunk.
31:36. Wine drunken with moderation is the joy of the soul and the
heart.
31:37. Sober drinking is health to soul and body.
31:38. Wine drunken with excess raiseth quarrels, and wrath, and many
ruins.
31:39. Wine drunken with excess is bitterness of the soul.
31:40. The heat of drunkenness is the stumblingblock of the fool,
lessening strength and causing wounds.
31:41. Rebuke not thy neighbour in a banquet of wine: and despise him
not in his mirth.
31:42. Speak not to him words of reproach: and press him not in
demanding again.