Sirach 31
31
Money Problems
1The rich lie awake at night
worrying about their money,
and they waste away
from lack of rest.
2It is hard to fall asleep
when you are very sick
or worried about money.
3The rich work hard
and get richer,
then they rest in luxury.
4But the poor work hard
and barely earn a living,
and if they rest,
they become even poorer.
5Some people love gold
and aim to make big profits,
and they will be led to do wrong
instead of right.
6Because of gold,
many lives have been ruined
or have ended in destruction.
7Money controls those fools
who worship it.
8God will bless those rich people
who do only what is right
and don't try to get richer.
9If you ever find such people,
you should honor them
for doing the impossible.
10When tested by money,
who can always do right?
When people could cheat
to get more money
but instead are honest,
they have something
to boast about.
11The community will honor them
for the kind things they do,
and their wealth will grow.
Advice to Dinner Guests
12When you go to a banquet,
don't stuff yourself
just because so much food
is on the table.
13Some people's eyes
want everything they see.
Is anything more evil?
Such eyes will have plenty
of tears.
14Don't reach out and grab
the food you want
or push others aside.
15Be thoughtful of others—
they have feelings too.
16Eat what is served,
but you won't be welcome
if you gobble it up
like an animal.
17Show good manners;
stop eating before others do.
If you keep on eating,
they will be offended.
18And in a large group of people,
don't be the first one
to reach for the serving dish.
19Train yourself to be satisfied
with a little food,
and later, in bed,
you will not be in pain
when you try to breathe.
20You will sleep well
and wake up early,
feeling good.
But overeating causes cramps,
as well as an upset stomach
and sleepless nights.
21If your host makes you overeat,
leave the table and vomit—
you will feel much better.
22Listen to me! Pay attention,
and later on,
you will thank me.
Don't try to eat#31.22 eat: Or “do.” too much,#31.22 Don't … much: Hebrew and one ancient translation; the Greek text has “try to do as much as you can.”
and you will stay healthy.
23It is right to honor those
who are generous with food
at their dinner parties.
24But the whole town is right
to complain about a host
who gives only a snack.
25Wine has destroyed many lives,
and heavy drinking is no way
to prove you are strong.
26The strength of iron is seen
when it is heated,
then dipped in water.
And people show their arrogance
when they argue
after drinking wine.
27A little wine is refreshing,
and to live without wine
is hardly living at all.
God created wine
to make us happy.
28A little wine at the right time
helps us celebrate.
29But drinking too much wine
leads us to hate others
and to take revenge.#31.29 But drinking too much wine … revenge: Greek; the Hebrew text has “But drinking wine when you are angry will bring you hatred, headaches, and disgrace.”
30When fools are drunk,
they become angry and fight,
but their strength is gone,
and so they get hurt.
31Don't scold your friends
or be disgusted
when they drink and celebrate
at a party.
And don't make them feel bad
or upset them with a reminder
that they owe you money.
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Sirach 31: CEVDCI
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Contemporary English Version, Second Edition (CEV®)
© 2006 American Bible Society. All rights reserved.