| Chapter 31 |
1 |
Watching for riches consumeth the flesh, and the thought thereof driveth away sleep.
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2 |
The thinking beforehand turneth away the understanding, and a grievous sickness maketh the soul sober.
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3 |
The rich man hath laboured in gathering riches together, and when he resteth he shall be filled with his goods.
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4 |
The poor man hath laboured in his low way of life, and in the end he is still poor.
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5 |
He that loveth gold, shall not be justified: and he that followeth after corruption, shall be filled with it.
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6 |
Many have been brought to fall for gold, and the beauty thereof hath been their ruin.
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7 |
Gold is a stumblingblock to them that sacrifice to it: woe to them that eagerly follow after it, and every fool shall perish by it.
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8 |
Blessed is the rich man that is found without blemish: and that hath not gone after gold, nor put his trust in money nor in treasures.
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9 |
Who is he, and we will praise him? for he hath done wonderful things in his life.
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10 |
Who hath been tried thereby, and made perfect, he shall have glory everlasting. He that could have transgressed, and hath not transgressed: and could do evil things, and hath not done them:
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11 |
Therefore are his goods established in the Lord, and all the church of the saints shall declare his alms.
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12 |
Art thou set at a great table? be not the first to open thy mouth upon it.
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13 |
Say not: There are many things which are upon it.
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14 |
Remember that a wicked eye is evil.
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15 |
What is created more wicked than an eye? therefore shall it weep over all the face when it shall see.
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16 |
Stretch not out thy hand first, lest being disgraced with envy thou be put to confusion.
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17 |
Be not hasty in a feast.
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18 |
Judge of the disposition of thy neighbour by thyself.
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19 |
Use as a frugal man the things that are set before thee: lest if thou eatest much, thou be hated.
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20 |
Leave off first, for manners' sake: and exceed not, lest thou offend.
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21 |
21And if thou sittest among many, reach not thy hand out first of all: and be not the first to ask for drink.
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22 |
How sufficient is a little wine for a man well taught, and in sleeping thou shalt not be uneasy with it, and thou shalt feel no pain.
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23 |
Watching, and choler, and gripes, are with an intemperate man:
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24 |
Sound and wholesome sleep with a moderate man: he shall sleep till morning, and his soul shall be delighted with him.
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25 |
And if thou hast been forced to eat much, arise, go out, and vomit: and it shall refresh thee, and thou shalt not bring sickness upon thy body.
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26 |
Hear me, my son, and despise me not: and in the end thou shalt find my words.
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27 |
In all thy works be quick, and no infirmity shall come to thee.
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28 |
The lips of many shall bless him that is liberal of his bread, and the testimony of his truth is faithful.
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29 |
Against him that is niggardly of his bread, the city will murmur, and the testimony of his niggardliness is true.
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30 |
Challenge not them that love wine: for wine hath destroyed very many.
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31 |
Fire trieth hard iron: so wine drunk to excess shall rebuke the hearts of the proud.
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32 |
Wine taken with sobriety is equal lire to men: if thou drink it moderately, thou shalt be sober.
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33 |
What is his life, who is diminished with wine?
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34 |
What taketh away life? death.
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35 |
Wine was created from the beginning to make men joyful, and not to make them drunk.
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36 |
Wine drunken with moderation is the joy of the soul and the heart.
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37 |
Sober drinking is health to soul and body.
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38 |
Wine drunken with excess raiseth quarrels; and wrath, and many ruins.
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39 |
Wine drunken with excess is bitterness of the soul.
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40 |
The heat of drunkenness is the stumblingblock of the fool, lessening strength and causing wounds.
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41 |
Rebuke not thy neighbour in a banquet of wine: and despise him not in hip mirth.
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42 |
Speak not to him words of reproach: and press him not in demanding again.
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