1 Sleeplessness over wealthmakes the body waste away,and anxiety about wealthkeeps sleep away.
2 Worrying will keep you awake,and serious illnesswill chase sleep away.
3 Rich people have workedto accumulate money,and when they rest,they fill themselves with their luxuries.
4 Poor people have workedto eke out a living,and when they rest,they become needy again.
5 Whoever loves gold won’t be declared just,and whoever pursues profitswill be led astray by them.
6 Many have been ruined because of gold,and their destruction has met them head-on.
7 It’s a stumbling block for thosewho are possessed by it,and it will takeevery senseless person captive.
8 Happy are the richwho are without blameand who don’t follow after gold.
9 Who are they,so that we might praise them?They have done wondersamong the people.
10 Who has been tested by wealthand been found perfect?For them it will be a reason to boast.Who had the power to sin and didn’t,and could do evil but didn’t?
11 The possessions of such peoplewill be secure,and the congregation will tellof their acts of charity.
12 Have you been seatedat a magnificent table?Don’t be greedy as you sit there,and don’t say,"Look how much food there is!"
13 Remember, a greedy eye is a bad thing.What has been created more greedythan the eye?For this reason, every face sheds tears.
14 Don’t reach out your handfor whatever you see,and don’t crowd your dinner companion by reaching into the same bowl.
15 Put yourself in your companion’s place,and be considerate in everything.
16 Eat what’s put in front of youlike a normal human being,and don’t chew rudely,or you will be hated.
17 Be the first to stop,to show your good breeding,and don’t be gluttonous;otherwise, you will offend.
18 If you have been seatedwith a lot of people,don’t help yourself before they do.
19 A little food is more than enoughfor well-educated people!They won’t gasp for breathwhen they lie down to sleep.
20 Healthy sleep dependson not stuffing yourself.Such people arise early and feel good.The gluttons suffer the pains of insomnia, nausea, and colic.
21 If you’ve overstuffed yourself,get up, vomit far away,and you will feel better.
22 Listen to me, my child,and don’t show me contempt,and in the end you will understandwhat I’m saying;be careful in everything you do,and you will never fall sick.
23 People will bless thosewho are generous with bread;they give reliable testimonyto the excellence of such people.
24 The city will murmur about thosewho are stingy with bread,giving accurate witnessto the wickedness of such people.
25 Don’t demonstrate your bravadoin wine drinking,because wine has destroyed many.
26 A furnace tests the hardening of steelwhen it’s dipped,so wine tests the heartwhen the arrogant quarrel.
27 If taken in moderation,wine makes people’s lives better.What’s life to those whodon’t have wine?It was created from the beginningto bring merriment.
28 The right amount of wineconsumed at the right timemakes for a joyful heartand a light spirit.
29 Too much wine drunkin the midst of strife and conflictmakes for a bitter spirit.
30 Getting drunk causes fools to losetheir temper and do themselves harm,reducing their strength,and adding injuries as well.
31 Don’t correct your neighborsat a wine banquet,and don’t show them contemptwhen they are partying;don’t say any reproachful wordto them,and don’t trouble themwith any demands.