Wisdom of Jesus 31:1-31 of 51 (KJV)

Pray for God’s Wisdom and Understanding,
In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

The Wisdom of Jesus the Son of Sirach (Ecclesiasticus).

{31:1} Watching for riches consumeth the flesh, and the care thereof driveth away sleep.

{31:2} Watching care will not let a man slumber, as a sore disease breaketh sleep,

{31:3} The rich hath great labour in gathering riches together; and when he resteth, he is filled with his delicates.

{31:4} The poor laboureth in his poor estate; and when he leaveth off, he is still needy.

{31:5} He that loveth gold shall not be justified, and he that followeth corruption shall have enough thereof.

{31:6} Gold hath been the ruin of many, and their destruction was present.

{31:7} It is a stumblingblock unto them that sacrifice unto it, and every fool shall be taken therewith.

{31:8} Blessed is the rich that is found without blemish, and hath not gone after gold.

{31:9} Who is he? and we will call him blessed: for wonderful things hath he done among his people.

{31:10} Who hath been tried thereby, and found perfect? then let him glory. Who might offend, and hath not offended? or done evil, and hath not done it?

{31:11} His goods shall be established, and the congregation shall declare his alms.

{31:12} If thou sit at a bountiful table, be not greedy upon it, and say not, There is much meat on it.

{31:13} Remember that a wicked eye is an evil thing: and what is created more wicked than an eye? therefore it weepeth upon every occasion.

{31:14} Stretch not thine hand whithersoever it looketh, and thrust it not with him into the dish.

{31:15} Judge not thy neighbour by thyself: and be discreet in every point.

{31:16} Eat as it becometh a man, those things which are set before thee; and devour note, lest thou be hated.

{31:17} Leave off first for manners’ sake; and be not unsatiable, lest thou offend.

{31:18} When thou sittest among many, reach not thine hand out first of all.

{31:19} A very little is sufficient for a man well nurtured, and he fetcheth not his wind short upon his bed.

{31:20} Sound sleep cometh of moderate eating: he riseth early, and his wits are with him: but the pain of watching, and choler, and pangs of the belly, are with an unsatiable man.

{31:21} And if thou hast been forced to eat, arise, go forth, vomit, and thou shalt have rest.

{31:22} My son, hear me, and despise me not, and at the last thou shalt find as I told thee: in all thy works be quick, so shall there no sickness come unto thee.

{31:23} Whoso is liberal of his meat, men shall speak well of him; and the report of his good housekeeping will be believed.

{31:24} But against him that is a niggard of his meat the whole city shall murmur; and the testimonies of his niggardness shall not be doubted of.

{31:25} Shew not thy valiantness in wine; for wine hath destroyed many.

{31:26} The furnace proveth the edge by dipping: so doth wine the hearts of the proud by drunkeness.

{31:27} Wine is as good as life to a man, if it be drunk moderately: what life is then to a man that is without wine? for it was made to make men glad.

{31:28} Wine measurably drunk and in season bringeth gladness of the heart, and cheerfulness of the mind:

{31:29} But wine drunken with excess maketh bitterness of the mind, with brawling and quarrelling.

{31:30} Drunkenness increaseth the rage of a fool till he offend: it diminisheth strength, and maketh wounds.

{31:31} Rebuke not thy neighbour at the wine, and despise him not in his mirth: give him no despiteful words, and press not upon him with urging him [to drink.]

Thanking God for teaching us his Word, Amen.
End of Wisdom of Jesus Chapter 31/51.