Common English Bible

Sirach 31:21-31 Common English Bible (CEB)

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.