Sirach 31 – search, read, and compare multiple versions of the Bible
World English Bible Classic
[1] 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 is 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 is a stumbling block to those who sacrifice to it.
Every fool will be taken by it.
[8] Blessed is the rich person who is found blameless,
and who doesn’t go after gold.
[9] Who is he, that we may call him blessed?
For he has done wonderful things among his people.
[10] Who has been tried by it, and found perfect?
Then let him boast.
Who has had the power to transgress, and has not transgressed?
And to do evil, and has not done it?
[11] His prosperity will be made sure.
The congregation will proclaim his alms. [12] Do you sit at a great table? Don’t be greedy there.
Don’t say, “There is a lot of food on it!”
[13] Remember that a greedy eye is a wicked thing.
What has 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 neighbor’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, lest you be hated.
[17] Be first to stop for manners’ sake.
Don’t be insatiable, lest you offend.
[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 have been forced to eat,
rise up in the middle of it, and you shall have rest.
[22] Hear me, my son, and don’t despise me,
and in the end you will appreciate my words.
In all your works be skillful,
and no disease will come to you. [23] People bless him who is liberal with his food.
The testimony of his excellence will be believed.
[24] The city will murmur at him who is 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 quarreling 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 is without wine?
It has 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 neighbor 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.
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 is 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 is a stumbling block to those who sacrifice to it.
Every fool will be taken by it.
[8] Blessed is the rich person who is found blameless,
and who doesn’t go after gold.
[9] Who is he, that we may call him blessed?
For he has done wonderful things among his people.
[10] Who has been tried by it, and found perfect?
Then let him boast.
Who has had the power to transgress, and has not transgressed?
And to do evil, and has not done it?
[11] His prosperity will be made sure.
The congregation will proclaim his alms. [12] Do you sit at a great table? Don’t be greedy there.
Don’t say, “There is a lot of food on it!”
[13] Remember that a greedy eye is a wicked thing.
What has 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 neighbor’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, lest you be hated.
[17] Be first to stop for manners’ sake.
Don’t be insatiable, lest you offend.
[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 have been forced to eat,
rise up in the middle of it, and you shall have rest.
[22] Hear me, my son, and don’t despise me,
and in the end you will appreciate my words.
In all your works be skillful,
and no disease will come to you. [23] People bless him who is liberal with his food.
The testimony of his excellence will be believed.
[24] The city will murmur at him who is 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 quarreling 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 is without wine?
It has 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 neighbor 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.
King James Version
Book not available in King James Version
Septuaginta
Septuaginta, in place of Byzantine Greek New Testament
[1] Ἀγρυπνία G70 (N-NSF) πλούτου G4149 (N-GSM) ἐκτήκει (V-PAI-3S) σάρκας, G4561 (N-APF) καὶ G2532 (CONJ) ἡ G3588 (T-NSF) μέριμνα G3308 (N-NSF) αὐτοῦ G846 (P-GSM) ἀφιστᾷ G868 (V-PAI-3S) ὕπνον. G5258 (N-ASM) [2] Μέριμνα G3308 (N-NSF) ἀγρυπνίας G70 (N-GSF) ἀποστήσει G868 (V-FAI-3S) νυσταγμόν, (N-ASM) καὶ G2532 (CONJ) ἀρρώστημα (N-NSN) βαρὺ G926 (A-NSN) ἐκνήψει G1594 (V-FAI-3S) ὕπνον. G5258 (N-ASM) [3] Ἐκοπίασεν G2872 (V-AAI-3S) πλούσιος G4145 (A-NSM) ἐν G1722 (PREP) συναγωγῇ G4864 (N-DSF) χρημάτων G5536 (N-GPN) καὶ G2532 (CONJ) ἐν G1722 (PREP) τῇ G3588 (T-DSF) ἀναπαύσει G372 (N-DSF) ἐμπίμπλαται (V-PMI-3S) τῶν G3588 (T-GPN) τρυφημάτων (N-GPN) αὐτοῦ. G846 (P-GSM) [4] Ἐκοπίασεν G2872 (V-AAI-3S) πτωχὸς G4434 (A-NSM) ἐν G1722 (PREP) ἐλαττώσει (N-DSF) βίου G979 (N-GSM) καὶ G2532 (CONJ) ἐν G1722 (PREP) τῇ G3588 (T-DSF) ἀναπαύσει G372 (N-DSF) ἐπιδεὴς (A-NSM) γίνεται. G1096 (V-PNI-3S) [5] Ὁ G3588 (T-NSM) ἀγαπῶν G25 (V-PAP-NSM) χρυσίον G5553 (N-ASN) οὐ G3756 (PRT-N) δικαιωθήσεται, G1344 (V-FPI-3S) καὶ G2532 (CONJ) ὁ G3588 (T-NSM) διώκων G1377 (V-PAP-NSM) διάφορα G1313 (A-APN) ἐν G1722 (PREP) αὐτοῖς G846 (P-DPN) πλανηθήσεται. G4105 (V-FPI-3S) [6] Πολλοὶ G4183 (A-NPM) ἐδόθησαν G1325 (V-API-3P) εἰς G1519 (PREP) πτῶμα G4430 (N-ASN) χάριν G5485 (N-ASF) χρυσίου, G5553 (N-GSN) καὶ G2532 (CONJ) ἐγενήθη G1096 (V-AOI-3S) ἡ G3588 (T-NSF) ἀπώλεια G684 (N-NSF) αὐτῶν G846 (P-GPM) κατὰ G2596 (PREP) πρόσωπον G4383 (N-ASN) αὐτῶν. G846 (P-GPM) [7] Ξύλον G3586 (N-ASN) προσκόμματός G4348 (N-GSN) ἐστιν G2076 (V-PAI-3S) τοῖς G3588 (T-DPM) ἐνθουσιάζουσιν (V-PAP-DPM) αὐτῷ, G846 (P-DSN) καὶ G2532 (CONJ) πᾶς G3956 (A-NSM) ἄφρων G878 (A-NSM) ἁλώσεται (V-FMI-3S) ἐν G1722 (PREP) αὐτῷ. G846 (P-DSN) [8] Μακάριος G3107 (A-NSM) πλούσιος, G4145 (A-NSM) ὃς G3739 (R-NSM) εὑρέθη G2147 (V-API-3S) ἄμωμος G299 (A-NSM) καὶ G2532 (CONJ) ὃς G3739 (R-NSM) ὀπίσω G3694 (ADV) χρυσίου G5553 (N-GSN) οὐκ G3756 (PRT-N) ἐπορεύθη· G4198 (V-AOI-3S) [9] τίς G5101 (I-NSM) ἐστιν; G2076 (V-PAI-3S) Καὶ G2532 (CONJ) μακαριοῦμεν G3106 (V-FAI-1P) αὐτόν· G846 (P-ASM) ἐποίησεν G4160 (V-AAI-3S) γὰρ G1063 (CONJ) θαυμάσια G2297 (A-APN) ἐν G1722 (PREP) λαῷ G2992 (N-DSM) αὐτοῦ. G846 (P-GSM) [10] Τίς G5101 (I-NSM) ἐδοκιμάσθη G1381 (V-API-3S) ἐν G1722 (PREP) αὐτῷ G846 (P-DSN) καὶ G2532 (CONJ) ἐτελειώθη; G5048 (V-API-3S) Καὶ G2532 (CONJ) ἔσται G2071 (V-FDI-3S) αὐτῷ G846 (P-DSM) εἰς G1519 (PREP) καύχησιν. G2746 (N-ASF) Τίς G5101 (I-NSF) ἐδύνατο G1410 (V-INI-3S) παραβῆναι G3845 (V-2AAN) καὶ G2532 (CONJ) οὐ G3756 (PRT-N) παρέβη, G3845 (V-2AAI-3S) καὶ G2532 (CONJ) ποιῆσαι G4160 (V-AAN) κακὰ G2556 (A-APN) καὶ G2532 (CONJ) οὐκ G3756 (PRT-N) ἐποίησεν; G4160 (V-AAI-3S) [11] Στερεωθήσεται G4732 (V-FPI-3S) τὰ G3588 (T-APN) ἀγαθὰ G18 (A-APN) αὐτοῦ, G846 (P-GSM) καὶ G2532 (CONJ) τὰς G3588 (T-APF) ἐλεημοσύνας G1654 (N-APF) αὐτοῦ G846 (P-GSM) ἐκδιηγήσεται G1555 (V-FMI-3S) ἐκκλησία. G1577 (N-NSF) [12] Ἐπὶ G1909 (PREP) τραπέζης G5132 (N-GSF) μεγάλης G3173 (A-GSF) ἐκάθισας; G2523 (V-AAI-2S) Μὴ G3361 (PRT-N) ἀνοίξῃς G455 (V-AAS-2S) ἐπ’ G1909 (PREP) αὐτῆς G846 (P-GSF) φάρυγγά (N-OI) σου G4675 (P-2GS) καὶ G2532 (CONJ) μὴ G3361 (PRT-N) εἴπῃς (V-2AAS-2S) Πολλά G4183 (A-NPN) γε G1065 (PRT) τὰ G3588 (T-NPN) ἐπ’ G1909 (PREP) αὐτῆς· G846 (P-GSF) [13] μνήσθητι G3415 (V-APM-2S) ὅτι G3754 (CONJ) κακὸν G2556 (A-NSN) ὀφθαλμὸς G3788 (N-NSM) πονηρός. G4190 (A-NSM) Πονηρότερον G4191 (A-NSN-C) ὀφθαλμοῦ G3788 (N-GSM) τί G5101 (I-ASN) ἔκτισται; G2936 (V-RPI-3S) Διὰ G1223 (PREP) τοῦτο G5124 (D-ASN) ἀπὸ G575 (PREP) παντὸς G3956 (A-GSN) προσώπου G4383 (N-GSN) δακρύει. G1145 (V-PAI-3S) [14] Οὗ G3739 (R-GSN) ἐὰν G1437 (COND) ἐπιβλέψῃ, G1914 (V-AMS-2S) μὴ G3361 (PRT-N) ἐκτείνῃς G1614 (V-AAS-2S) χεῖρα G5495 (N-ASF) καὶ G2532 (CONJ) μὴ G3361 (PRT-N) συνθλίβου G4918 (V-PEM-2S) αὐτῷ G846 (P-DSN) ἐν G1722 (PREP) τρυβλίῳ. G5165 (N-DSN) [15] Νόει G3539 (V-PAM-2S) τὰ G3588 (T-APN) τοῦ G3588 (T-GSM) πλησίον G4139 (ADV) ἐκ G1537 (PREP) σεαυτοῦ G4572 (F-2GSM) καὶ G2532 (CONJ) ἐπὶ G1909 (PREP) παντὶ G3956 (A-DSN) πράγματι G4229 (N-DSN) διανοοῦ. (V-PEM-2S) [16] Φάγε G5315 (V-2AAM-2S) ὡς G5613 (ADV) ἄνθρωπος G444 (N-NSM) τὰ G3588 (T-APN) παρακείμενά G3873 (V-PNP-APN) σοι G4671 (P-2DS) καὶ G2532 (CONJ) μὴ G3361 (PRT-N) διαμασῶ, (V-PMM-2S) μὴ G3361 (PRT-N) μισηθῇς. G3404 (V-APS-2S) [17] Παῦσαι G3973 (V-AMM-2S) πρῶτος G4413 (A-NSM-S) χάριν G5485 (N-ASF) παιδείας G3809 (N-GSF) καὶ G2532 (CONJ) μὴ G3361 (PRT-N) ἀπληστεύου, (V-PEM-2S) μήποτε G3379 (ADV-N) προσκόψῃς· G4350 (V-AAS-2S) [18] καὶ G2532 (CONJ) εἰ G1487 (COND) ἀνὰ G303 (PREP) μέσον G3319 (A-ASN) πλειόνων G4119 (A-GPM-C) ἐκάθισας, G2523 (V-AAI-2S) πρότερος (A-NSM) αὐτῶν G846 (P-GPM) μὴ G3361 (PRT-N) ἐκτείνῃς G1614 (V-AAS-2S) τὴν G3588 (T-ASF) χεῖρά G5495 (N-ASF) σου. G4675 (P-2GS) [19] Ὡς G5613 (ADV) ἱκανὸν G2425 (A-NSN) ἀνθρώπῳ G444 (N-DSM) πεπαιδευμένῳ G3811 (V-REP-DSM) τὸ G3588 (T-NSN) ὀλίγον, G3641 (A-NSN) καὶ G2532 (CONJ) ἐπὶ G1909 (PREP) τῆς G3588 (T-GSF) κοίτης G2845 (N-GSF) αὐτοῦ G846 (P-GSM) οὐκ G3756 (PRT-N) ἀσθμαίνει. (V-PAI-3S) [20] Ὕπνος G5258 (N-NSM) ὑγιείας (N-GSF) ἐπὶ G1909 (PREP) ἐντέρῳ (N-DSN) μετρίῳ· (A-DSN) ἀνέστη G450 (V-2AAI-3S) πρωί, G4404 (ADV) καὶ G2532 (CONJ) ἡ G3588 (T-NSF) ψυχὴ G5590 (N-NSF) αὐτοῦ G846 (P-GSM) μετ’ G3326 (PREP) αὐτοῦ. G846 (P-GSM) Πόνος G4192 (N-NSM) ἀγρυπνίας G70 (N-GSF) καὶ G2532 (CONJ) χολέρας (N-GSF) καὶ G2532 (CONJ) στρόφος (N-NSM) μετὰ G3326 (PREP) ἀνδρὸς G435 (N-GSM) ἀπλήστου· (A-GSM) [21] καὶ G2532 (CONJ) εἰ G1487 (COND) ἐβιάσθης (V-API-2S) ἐν G1722 (PREP) ἐδέσμασιν, (N-DPN) ἀνάστα G450 (V-2AAM-2S) ἔμεσον G1692 (V-AAM-2S) πόρρω, G4206 (ADV) καὶ G2532 (CONJ) ἀναπαύσῃ. G373 (V-AAS-3S) [22] Ἄκουσόν G191 (V-AAM-2S) μου, G3450 (P-1GS) τέκνον, G5043 (N-VSN) καὶ G2532 (CONJ) μὴ G3361 (PRT-N) ἐξουδενήσῃς G1847 (V-AAS-2S) με, G3165 (P-1AS) καὶ G2532 (CONJ) ἐπ’ G1909 (PREP) ἐσχάτων G2078 (A-GPN-S) εὑρήσεις G2147 (V-FAI-2S) τοὺς G3588 (T-APM) λόγους G3056 (N-APM) μου· G3450 (P-1GS) ἐν G1722 (PREP) πᾶσι G3956 (A-DPN) τοῖς G3588 (T-DPN) ἔργοις G2041 (N-DPN) σου G4675 (P-2GS) γίνου G1096 (V-PNM-2S) ἐντρεχής, (A-NSM) καὶ G2532 (CONJ) πᾶν G3956 (A-NSN) ἀρρώστημα (N-NSN) οὐ G3756 (PRT-N) μή G3361 (PRT-N) σοι G4671 (P-2DS) ἀπαντήσῃ. G528 (V-FMI-2S) [23] Λαμπρὸν G2986 (A-ASM) ἐπ’ G1909 (PREP) ἄρτοις G740 (N-DPM) εὐλογήσει G2127 (V-FAI-3S) χείλη, G5491 (N-NPN) καὶ G2532 (CONJ) ἡ G3588 (T-NSF) μαρτυρία G3141 (N-NSF) τῆς G3588 (T-GSF) καλλονῆς (N-GSF) αὐτοῦ G846 (P-GSM) πιστή. G4103 (A-NSF) [24] Πονηρῷ G4190 (A-DSM) ἐπ’ G1909 (PREP) ἄρτῳ G740 (N-DSM) διαγογγύσει G1234 (V-FAI-3S) πόλις, G4172 (N-NSF) καὶ G2532 (CONJ) ἡ G3588 (T-NSF) μαρτυρία G3141 (N-NSF) τῆς G3588 (T-GSF) πονηρίας G4189 (N-GSF) αὐτοῦ G846 (P-GSM) ἀκριβής. G196 (A-NSF) [25] Ἐν G1722 (PREP) οἴνῳ G3631 (N-DSM) μὴ G3361 (PRT-N) ἀνδρίζου· G407 (V-PEM-2S) πολλοὺς G4183 (A-APM) γὰρ G1063 (CONJ) ἀπώλεσεν G622 (V-AAI-3S) ὁ G3588 (T-NSM) οἶνος. G3631 (N-NSM) [26] Κάμινος G2575 (N-NSF) δοκιμάζει G1381 (V-PAI-3S) στόμωμα (N-ASN) ἐν G1722 (PREP) βαφῇ, (N-DSF) οὕτως G3779 (ADV) οἶνος G3631 (N-NSM) καρδίας G2588 (N-APF) ἐν G1722 (PREP) μάχῃ G3163 (N-DSF) ὑπερηφάνων. G5244 (A-GPM) [27] Ἔφισον (A-NSM) ζωῆς G2222 (N-GSF) οἶνος G3631 (N-NSM) ἀνθρώποις, G444 (N-DPM) ἐὰν G1437 (COND) πίνῃς G4095 (V-PAS-2S) αὐτὸν G846 (P-ASM) ἐν G1722 (PREP) μέτρῳ G3358 (N-DSN) αὐτοῦ. G846 (P-GSM) Τίς G5101 (I-NSF) ζωὴ G2222 (N-NSF) ἐλασσουμένῳ G1642 (V-PMP-DSM) οἴνῳ; G3631 (N-DSM) Καὶ G2532 (CONJ) αὐτὸς G846 (P-NSM) ἔκτισται G2936 (V-RPI-3S) εἰς G1519 (PREP) εὐφροσύνην G2167 (N-ASF) ἀνθρώποις. G444 (N-DPM) [28] Ἀγαλλίαμα (N-NSN) καρδίας G2588 (N-GSF) καὶ G2532 (CONJ) εὐφροσύνη G2167 (N-NSF) ψυχῆς G5590 (N-GSF) οἶνος G3631 (N-NSM) πινόμενος G4095 (V-PEP-NSM) ἐν G1722 (PREP) καιρῷ G2540 (N-DSM) αὐτάρκης· G842 (A-NSM) [29] πικρία G4088 (N-NSF) ψυχῆς G5590 (N-GSF) οἶνος G3631 (N-NSM) πινόμενος G4095 (V-PEP-NSM) πολὺς G4183 (A-NSM) ἐν G1722 (PREP) ἐρεθισμῷ (N-DSM) καὶ G2532 (CONJ) ἀντιπτώματι. (N-DSN) [30] Πληθύνει G4129 (V-PAI-3S) μέθη G3178 (N-NSM) θυμὸν G2372 (N-ASM) ἄφρονος G878 (A-GSM-C) εἰς G1519 (PREP) πρόσκομμα G4348 (N-ASN) ἐλαττῶν G1642 (V-PAP-NSM) ἰσχὺν G2479 (N-ASF) καὶ G2532 (CONJ) προσποιῶν G4364 (V-PAP-NSM) τραύματα. G5134 (N-APN) [31] Ἐν G1722 (PREP) συμποσίῳ G4849 (N-DSN) οἴνου G3631 (N-GSM) μὴ G3361 (PRT-N) ἐλέγξῃς G1651 (V-AAS-2S) τὸν G3588 (T-ASM) πλησίον G4139 (ADV) καὶ G2532 (CONJ) μὴ G3361 (PRT-N) ἐξουθενήσῃς G1847 (V-AAS-2S) αὐτὸν G846 (P-ASM) ἐν G1722 (PREP) εὐφροσύνῃ G2167 (N-DSF) αὐτοῦ· G846 (P-GSM) λόγον G3056 (N-ASM) ὀνειδισμοῦ G3680 (N-GSM) μὴ G3361 (PRT-N) εἴπῃς (V-2AAS-2S) αὐτῷ G846 (P-DSM) καὶ G2532 (CONJ) μὴ G3361 (PRT-N) αὐτὸν G846 (P-ASM) θλίψῃς G2346 (V-AAS-2S) ἐν G1722 (PREP) ἀπαιτήσει. (N-DSF)