Ben Sira 31:22-31

22 Listen to me, my son, and do not disregard me, and in the end you will appreciate my words. In all your work be industrious, and no sickness will overtake you.
23 Men will praise the one who is liberal with food, and their testimony to his excellence is trustworthy.
24 The city will complain of the one who is niggardly with food, and their testimony to his niggardliness is accurate.
25 Do not aim to be valiant over wine, for wine has destroyed many.
26 Fire and water prove the temper of steel, so wine tests hearts in the strife of the proud.
27 Wine is like life to men, if you drink it in moderation. What is life to a man who is without wine? It has been created to make men glad.
28 Wine drunk in season and temperately is rejoicing of heart and gladness of soul.
29 Wine drunk to excess is bitterness of soul, with provocation and stumbling.
30 Drunkenness increases the anger of a fool to his injury, reducing his strength and adding wounds.
31 Do not reprove your neighbor at a banquet of wine, and do not despise him in his merrymaking; speak no word of reproach to him, and do not afflict him by making demands of him.
Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright 1952 [2nd edition, 1971] by the 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.