OET-RV SIR Chapter 31

31 Wakefulness that comes from riches consumes the flesh,

and anxiety about it takes away sleep.

2 Wakeful anxiety will crave slumber.

In a severe disease, sleep will be broken.

3 A rich man toils in gathering money together.

When he rests, he’s filled with his good things.

4 A poor man toils in lack of substance.

When he rests, he becomes needy.

5 He who loves gold won’t be justified.

He who follows destruction will himself have his fill of it.

6 Many have been given over to ruin for the sake of gold.

Their destruction meets them face to face.

7 It’s a stumbling block to those who sacrifice to it.

Every fool will be taken by it.

8 Blessed is the rich person who’s found blameless,

and who doesn’t go after gold.

9 Who’s he, that we may call him blessed?

Because he’s done wonderful things among his people.

10 Who’s been tried by it, and found perfect?

Then let him boast.

Who’s had the power to transgress, and hasn’t transgressed?

And to do evil, and hasn’t done it?

11 His prosperity will be made sure.

The congregation will tell of his gifts to the poor.

12 Do you sit at a great table? Don’t be greedy there.

Don’t say, “There’s a lot of food on it!”

13 Remember that a greedy eye is a wicked thing.

What’s been created more greedy than an eye?

Therefore it sheds tears from every face.

14 Don’t stretch your hand wherever it looks.

Don’t thrust yourself with it into the dish.

15 Consider your neighbour’s feelings by your own.

Be discreet in every point.

16 Eat like a human being those things which are set before you.

Don’t eat greedily, or you might be hated.

17 Be first to stop for manners’ sake.

Don’t be insatiable, or you might cause offence.

18 And if you sit among many,

Don’t reach out your hand before them.

19 How sufficient to a well-mannered man is a very little.

He doesn’t breathe heavily in his bed.

20 Healthy sleep comes from moderate eating.

He rises early, and his wits are with him.

The pain of wakefulness, colic,

and griping are with an insatiable man.

21 And if you’ve been forced to eat,

rise up in the middle of it, and you’ll have rest.

22 Hear me, my son, and don’t despise me,

and in the end you’ll appreciate my words.

In all your works be skilful,

and no disease will come to you.

23 People bless him who’s liberal with his food.

The testimony of his excellence will be believed.

24 The city will murmur at him who’s a stingy with his food.

The testimony of his stinginess will be accurate.

25 Don’t show yourself valiant in wine,

for wine has destroyed many.

26 The furnace tests the temper of steel by dipping;

so does wine test hearts in the quarrelling of the proud.

27 Wine is as good as life to men,

if you drink it in moderation.

What life is there to a man who’s without wine?

It’s been created to make men glad.

28 Wine drunk in season and in moderation

is joy of heart and gladness of soul:

29 Wine drunk excessively is bitterness of soul,

with provocation and conflict.

30 Drunkenness increases the rage of a fool to his hurt.

It diminishes strength and adds wounds.

31 Don’t rebuke your neighbour at a banquet of wine.

Don’t despise him in his mirth.

Don’t speak a word of reproach to him.

Don’t distress him by making demands of him.