Chapter 31 opens with a meditation on the anxieties of wealth and the rare virtue of the rich person who remains blameless. The chapter then transitions into an extended treatment of table manners -- proper behavior at banquets, moderation in eating and drinking, and the use and abuse of wine. This is among the most practical and socially specific chapters in Sirach.
The portrait of the righteous rich person (vv. 8-11) is remarkable for its rarity in wisdom literature: 'Blessed is the rich man who is found blameless and who has not gone after gold.' Ben Sira acknowledges that wealth makes virtue harder, not easier, and therefore the virtuous rich deserve special praise. The banquet etiquette section (vv. 12-24) provides an unusually detailed window into the dining culture of Hellenistic Judaism. The wine section (vv. 25-36) is notable for its balance: wine 'made for gladness, not for drunkenness' (v. 35) -- neither prohibition nor license but moderation.
The detailed attention to table manners may seem trivial beside the theological heights of chapters 24 or 28, but it reflects Ben Sira's conviction that wisdom governs every domain of life, including how one reaches for food. The assumption that wealth is a test of character rather than an inherent injustice reflects a particular social location.
Proverbs 23:1-8 (table manners before a ruler); Proverbs 23:29-35 (the drunkard); Ecclesiastes 10:19 (wine gladdens life); John 2:1-11 (the wedding at Cana); 1 Timothy 5:23 (use a little wine); Ephesians 5:18 (do not get drunk with wine).
Vigilia honestatis tabefaciet carnes et cogitatus illius auferet somnum.
Sleepless worry over wealth wastes the flesh, and anxiety about it drives away sleep.
Cogitatus praescientiae avertit sensum et infirmitas gravis sobriam facit animam.
The thought of what lies ahead turns away the mind, and a grave illness makes the soul sober.
Laboravit dives in congregatione substantiae et in requie sua replebitur bonis suis.
A rich person toils in gathering his wealth, and in his rest he fills himself with his luxuries.
Laboravit pauper in deminutione victus et in fine inops fit.
A poor person toils amid diminishing sustenance, and in the end he becomes destitute.
Qui aurum diligit non iustificabitur et qui insequitur consumptionem replebitur ex ea.
Whoever loves gold will not be justified, and whoever pursues wealth will be consumed by it.
Literally 'consumption' or 'spending' -- the pursuit of expenditure as a way of life, with the ironic twist that the pursuer is himself consumed.
Multi dati sunt in auri casus et facta est in specie ipsius perditio illorum.
Many have been given over to ruin because of gold, and their destruction has come face to face with them.
Lignum offensionis est aurum sacrificantium vae illis qui sectantur illud et omnis inprudens deperiet in illo.
Gold is a stumbling block for those who sacrifice to it. Woe to those who pursue it! Every fool will perish by it.
Beatus dives qui inventus est sine macula et qui post aurum non abiit nec speravit in pecunia et thesauris.
Blessed is the rich person who is found without blemish, and who has not gone after gold, nor placed his hope in money and treasures.
Quis est hic et laudabimus eum fecit enim mirabilia in vita sua.
Who is this person? Let us praise him, for he has done wondrous things in his life.
Qui probatus est in illo et perfectus est erit illi gloria aeterna qui potuit transgredi et non est transgressus et facere mala et non fecit.
Who has been tested by it and proved perfect? He shall have eternal glory. Who could have transgressed and did not transgress, and could have done evil and did not do it?
Ideo stabilita sunt bona illius in Domino et elemosynas illius enarrabit omnis ecclesia sanctorum.
Therefore his goods are established in the Lord, and all the assembly of the saints will declare his acts of charity.
Supra mensam magnam sedisti non aperias super illam faucem tuam prior.
When you sit at a great table, do not be the first to open your mouth wide over it.
Non dicas sic multa sunt quae super illam sunt.
Do not say, 'How much there is on this table!'
Memento quoniam malus est oculus nequam.
Remember that a greedy eye is evil.
The 'evil eye' in this context means not supernatural curse but envious, covetous gazing -- the eye that devours before the hand reaches.
Nequius oculo quid creatum est ideo ab omni facie sua lacrimabitur.
What has been created more wicked than the eye? Therefore it will weep over everything it sees.
Ne extendas manum tuam prior et invidia contaminatus erubescas.
Do not reach out your hand first, and being stained with envy, be put to shame.
Ne conprimas in convivio non enim necessarium est tibi.
Do not push yourself forward at a feast, for you have no need of it.
Intellege quae sunt proximi tui ex te ipso.
Understand the needs of your neighbor from your own experience.
Utere quasi homo frugi his quae tibi adponuntur ne cum manducas multum odio habearis.
Use what is set before you like a reasonable person, lest when you eat too much you become hated.
Cessa prior causa disciplinae et noli nimius esse ne forte offendas.
Stop eating first, for the sake of good manners, and do not be excessive, lest you give offense.
Et si in medio multorum sedisti prior illis ne extendas manum tuam nec prior poscas bibere.
And if you sit among many, do not stretch out your hand before them, and do not be the first to ask for a drink.
Quam sufficiens est homini erudito vinum exiguum et in dormiendo non laborabis ab illo et non senties dolorem.
How sufficient is a little wine for a well-bred person! You will not labor in sleeping because of it, and you will feel no pain.
Vigilia et colera et tortura viro infrunito.
Sleeplessness and nausea and griping pain are for the undisciplined person.
Somnus sanitatis in homine parco est dormiet usque in mane et anima illius cum ipso delectabitur.
Sound sleep belongs to the moderate person; he will sleep until morning, and his soul will take delight with him.
Et si coactus fueris in edendo multum surge e medio evome et refrigerabit te et non adduces corpori tuo infirmitatem.
And if you have been forced to eat too much, rise from the table, go aside and relieve yourself, and it will refresh you; and you will not bring illness upon your body.
Audi me fili et non spernas me et in novissimo invenies verba mea.
Listen to me, my son, and do not despise me; in the end you will find my words true.
In omnibus operibus tuis esto velox et omnis infirmitas non occurret tibi.
In all your works be prompt, and no illness will overtake you.
Splendidum in panibus benedicent labia multorum et testimonium veritatis illius fidele.
The generous host at table -- many lips will bless him, and the testimony to his goodness is trustworthy.
Nequissimo in pane murmurabit civitas et testimonium nequitiae illius verum est.
Against the stingy host the city will murmur, and the testimony of his meanness is true.
Diligentes in vino noli provocare multi enim exterminavit vinum.
Do not challenge those who love wine, for wine has destroyed many.
Ignis probat ferrum durum sic vinum corda superborum arguet in ebrietate potatum.
Fire tests hard iron; so wine, drunk to excess, will expose the hearts of the proud.
Aequa vita hominibus vinum in sobrietate si bibas illud moderate eris sobrius.
Wine is the equal of life for a person if it is drunk in moderation; what life has the one who is deprived of wine?
Quid defraudat vitam vinum mors.
What robs life? Death -- and wine does the same when abused.
Vinum in iucunditatem creatum est non in ebrietatem ab initio.
Wine was created for gladness from the beginning, not for drunkenness.
Wine's intended purpose is joyful celebration -- its abuse perverts its created nature.
Exultatio animae et cordis vinum moderate potatum.
Wine drunk in moderation is the exultation of the soul and the heart.
Sanitas est animae et corpori sobrius potus.
Sober drinking is health for soul and body.
Vinum multum potatum irritationem et iram et ruinas multas facit.
Wine drunk in excess produces irritation and anger and many a downfall.
Amaritudo animae vinum multum potatum.
Bitterness of soul is wine drunk to excess.
Ebrietatis furor animae offensio minorans virtutem et faciens vulnera.
The rage of drunkenness is an offense to the soul, diminishing strength and causing wounds.
In convivio vini non arguas proximum et non despicias eum in iucunditate illius.
At a wine feast, do not rebuke your neighbor, and do not despise him in his merriment.
Verba inproperii non dicas illi et non premas illum in repetendo.
Do not speak words of reproach to him, and do not press him by demanding repayment.