Common English Bible

Sirach 31:14-20 Common English Bible (CEB)

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.