Sirach 31:19–27
19How sufficient to a well-mannered man is a very little. He doesn’t breathe heavily in his bed.↗
20Healthy sleep comes from moderate eating. He rises early, and his wits are with him. The pain of wakefulness, colic, and griping are with an insatiable man.↗
21And if you have been forced to eat, rise up in the middle of it, and you shall have rest.↗
22Hear me, my son, and don’t despise me, and in the end you will appreciate my words. In all your works be skillful, and no disease will come to you.↗
23People bless him who is liberal with his food. The testimony of his excellence will be believed.↗
24The city will murmur at him who is a stingy with his food. The testimony of his stinginess will be accurate.↗
25Don’t show yourself valiant in wine, for wine has destroyed many.↗
26The furnace tests the temper of steel by dipping; so does wine test hearts in the quarreling of the proud.↗
27Wine is as good as life to men, if you drink it in moderation. What life is there to a man who is without wine? It has been created to make men glad.↗
Source: World English Bible (Catholic), public domain. Text is taken directly from the source. Headings are editorial, not biblical verses.
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