Watching for riches consumes the flesh and drives away sleep, and gold has been the ruin of many: 'Blessed is the rich that is found without blemish.' The chapter then becomes a lesson in table manners: do not be greedy at a bountiful table, do not reach out first, and leave off first for manners' sake; moderate eating brings sound sleep. 'Wine is as good as life to a man, if it be drunk moderately', made to make men glad, but drunk with excess it brings bitterness, brawling and wounds. Do not rebuke your neighbour at the wine or press him to drink.
Sirach 31 - Summary
Summary
Read Sirach Chapter 31 Summary
Original
Characters in This Chapter
Noah
Found perfect and righteous, kept as a remnant when the flood came, with an everlasting covenant
Abraham
Father of many nations, faithful when tested, to whom God swore to bless the nations in his seed
Moses
Beloved of God and men, brought into the cloud and given the law of life; the law he commanded is identified with Wisdom
Aaron
Given an everlasting priesthood; his vestments are described at length
David
Chosen out of Israel, slayer of Goliath, singer who set singers before the altar, given a covenant of kings
Solomon
Wise king of peace who built the temple, then stained his honour through his women
Elijah
Prophet 'as fire', taken up in a chariot of fire and appointed to turn the heart of the father to the son
Ben Sira
Author and sage of Jerusalem, who signs the book, praises the fathers and closes with his own prayer
Places in This Chapter
Position in Book
The Fear of the LordChapters 1-2
Parents, the Poor and Wisdom's DisciplineChapters 3-4
Speech, Friendship and PrudenceChapters 5-9
Pride, Wealth and GenerosityChapters 10-14
Free Will and God's MercyChapters 15-18
The Tongue and the FoolChapters 19-23
Wisdom Praises HerselfChapters 24
Wives and the HouseholdChapters 25-26
Honest Dealing and ForgivenessChapters 27-32
Sin in trade, betrayed secrets, forgiveness of one's neighbour, the backbiting tongue, lending and surety, raising sons, health, money, banquets and wine.
God's Order, True Worship and a Prayer for IsraelChapters 33-36
Counsellors, Physicians and the ScribeChapters 37-39
Life, Death and the Glory of CreationChapters 40-43
The Praise of the FathersChapters 44-50
Thanksgiving and the Search for WisdomChapters 51