Sirach 31:12–24
12 bIf thou sittest cat a great man’s tablec,
eSay not: fThere is abundance upon itf—
13 gRemember that an evil eye is an evil thingg,
HB hGod hath createdh nothing more evil than the eye;
iTherefore over everything must it weepi.
15 j kBe consideratek to lthy companion as thyselfl,
And be mindful of all mthou detestestm.
14 Stretch not out the hand nwherever he may lookn,
oAnd collide not with himo pin the dishp j.
16 qEat like a man rwhat is put before theer,
sAnd be not ravenouss, lest thou become dislikedq.
17 tLeave off firstt ufor manners’ sakeu,
vAnd devour not voraciouslyv wlest thou become offensivew.
HB 18 And, moreover, when thou art seated xin a large companyx
Stretch not the hand out ybefore a neighboury.
19 Surely a little is sufficient for za man of understandingz,
And he need not achokea upon his bed.
20(c) bPain and sleeplessness, and distressb,
20(d) cAnd inward disorderc dare with a foolish mand.
20(a)eHealthy sleepe fhath a purged bellyf,
20(b) And when he riseth in the morning ghis wits are with himg.
HB 21 hAnd even if thou hast been constrained with dainties,
iArise and vomiti, and thou shalt have ease.
22 jListen, my son, and despise me not,
kAnd in the endk thou shalt comprehend my wordsj.
In all thy doings be lmodestl,
And no mmishapm shall touch theeh.
23 nHim that is generous over meatn othe lipo blesseth;
pThe testimony of his generosityp is lasting:
24 Him who is niggardly over meat qthe city murmureth atq;
rThe testimony of his niggardlinessr is lasting.
(g) 31:(34:)25–31. The use and abuse of wine