1Wakefulness over wealth wastes away the flesh, and anxiety over it drives away sleep.
2Anxiety for a livelihood disturbs sleep, and a severe illness drives away slumber.
3A rich man toils to gather wealth, and when he rests, it is to enjoy his pleasures.
4A poor man toils in the lack of his livelihood, and when he rests, he remains in need.
5He who loves gold will not be held innocent, and he who pursues a bribe will go astray by it.
6Many have been brought to ruin for the sake of gold, and their destruction has come face to face with them.
7It is a snare to the foolish, and every simpleton is caught by it.
8Happy is the rich man who is found blameless, who has not gone astray after wealth.
9Who is he? Let us call him happy, for he has done wonders among his people.
10Who has been tested by wealth and been found perfect? Let this be his reason for boasting. Who could have transgressed, but did not? Who could have done evil, but did not do it?
11His prosperity will be established, and the congregation will proclaim his acts of charity.
12If you sit at a great table, do not open your gullet over it, nor say, “There is so much on it!”
13Remember that a greedy eye is an evil thing. What was created more wicked than the eye? That is why it weeps at everything it sees.
14Do not reach your hand for whatever he is looking at, nor crowd him in the same dish.
15Judge your neighbor’s feelings by your own, and be considerate in every matter.
16Eat what is set before you like a civilized person; do not gorge, lest you be despised.
17Be the first to stop, as a matter of good breeding; do not be insatiable, lest you give offense.
18And if you are seated among many, do not reach out your hand before they do.
19A little is sufficient for a well-bred man, and he will not gasp for breath on his bed.
20Healthy sleep comes with a moderate stomach; one rises early and is refreshed. Sleeplessness, nausea, and stomach pains are the lot of a greedy man.
21If you are overcome by the food, get up from the middle of the meal and vomit, and you will find relief.
22Listen to me, my son, and do not despise me; in the end you will find my words true. In all your deeds be moderate, and no illness will come upon you.
23Lips will bless a man who is generous with his bread, and the testimony to his goodness is faithful.
24The city will murmur against a man who is stingy with his bread, and the testimony to his wickedness is accurate.
25Do not act like a hero over wine, for wine has been the ruin of many.
26The furnace tests the temper of a blade, so wine tests the hearts of the arrogant in a quarrel.
27Wine is life for a person, if you drink it in moderation. What is life to one who lacks wine? It was created from the beginning for human joy.
28Gladness of heart and delight for the soul is wine drunk at the right time and in the right amount.
29Headache, bitterness, and disgrace come from wine drunk with irritation and rivalry.
30Drunkenness increases the anger of a fool to his own stumbling, diminishing his strength and adding wounds.
31At a wine banquet, do not rebuke your neighbor or despise him in his merriment. Do not speak a reproachful word to him, or press him for the repayment of a debt.
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