Ecclesiasticus Chapter 31 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 lire 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 hip mirth.
31:42 Speak not to him words of reproach: and press him not in demanding again. ♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦ Douay Rheims Version of the Catholic Bible The Book of Ecclesiasticus, Verses of Chapter 31
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