Part 802

30:23. The joyfulness of the heart, is the life of a man, and a never failing treasure of holiness: and the joy of a man is length of life.

30:24. Have pity on thy own soul, pleasing God, and contain thyself: gather up thy heart in his holiness: and drive away sadness far from thee.

30:25. For sadness hath killed many, and there is no profit in it.

30:26. Envy and anger shorten a man’s days, and pensiveness will bring old age before the time.

30:27. A cheerful and good heart is always feasting: for his banquets are prepared with diligence.

Ecclesiasticus Chapter 31

Of the desire of riches, and of moderation in eating and drinking.

31:1. Watching for riches consumeth the flesh, and the thought thereof driveth away sleep.

31:2. The thinking beforehand turneth away the understanding, and a grievous sickness maketh the soul sober.

31:3. The rich man hath laboured in gathering riches together, and when he resteth he shall be filled with his goods.

31:4. The poor man hath laboured in his low way of life, and in the end he is still poor.

31:5. He that loveth gold, shall not be justified: and he that followeth after corruption, shall be filled with it.

31:6. Many have been brought to fall for gold, and the beauty thereof hath been their ruin.

31:7. 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.

31:8. 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.

31:9. Who is he, and we will praise him? for he hath done wonderful things in his life.

31:10. 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:

31:11. Therefore are his goods established in the Lord, and all the church of the saints shall declare his alms.

31:12. Art thou set at a great table? be not the first to open thy mouth upon it.

31:13. Say not: There are many things which are upon it.

31:14. Remember that a wicked eye is evil.

31:15. What is created more wicked than an eye? therefore shall it weep over all the face when it shall see.

31:16. Stretch not out thy hand first, lest being disgraced with envy thou be put to confusion.

31:17. Be not hasty in a feast.

31:18. Judge of the disposition of thy neighbour by thyself.

31:19. Use as a frugal man the things that are set before thee: lest if thou eatest much, thou be hated.

31:20. Leave off first, for manners’ sake: and exceed not, lest thou offend.

31:21. And if thou sittest among many, reach not thy hand out first of all, and be not the first to ask for drink.