Ben Sira 31:17-27

17 Be the first to stop, as befits good manners, and do not be insatiable, or you will give offense.
18 If you are seated among many persons, do not help yourself before they do.
19 How ample a little is for a well-disciplined person! He does not breathe heavily when in bed.
20 Healthy sleep depends on moderate eating; he rises early, and feels fit. The distress of sleeplessness and of nausea and colic are with the glutton.
21 If you are overstuffed with food, get up to vomit, and you will have relief.
22 Listen to me, my child, and do not disregard me, and in the end you will appreciate my words. In everything you do be moderate, and no sickness will overtake you.
23 People bless the one who is liberal with food, and their testimony to his generosity is trustworthy.
24 The city complains of the one who is stingy with food, and their testimony to his stinginess is accurate.
25 Do not try to prove your strength by wine-drinking, for wine has destroyed many.
26 As the furnace tests the work of the smith, so wine tests hearts when the insolent quarrel.
27 Wine is very life to human beings if taken in moderation. What is life to one who is without wine? It has been created to make people happy.

Footnotes 3

  • [a]. Gk [reach out your hand]
  • [b]. Heb Syr: Gk [industrious]
  • [c]. Heb: Gk [tests the hardening of steel by dipping]
New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.