Chapter 31

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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  Remember that a wicked eye is evil.  

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

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

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  Be not hasty in a feast.  

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  Judge of the disposition of thy neighbour by thyself.  

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

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  Leave off first, for manners' sake: and exceed not, lest thou offend.  

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  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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  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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  Watching, and choler, and gripes, are with an intemperate man:  

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  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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  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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  Hear me, my son, and despise me not: and in the end thou shalt find my words.  

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  In all thy works be quick, and no infirmity shall come to thee.  

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  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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  Against him that is niggardly of his bread, the city will murmur, and the testimony of his niggardliness is true.  

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  Challenge not them that love wine: for wine hath destroyed very many.  

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  Fire trieth hard iron: so wine drunk to excess shall rebuke the hearts of the proud.  

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  Wine taken with sobriety is equal lire to men: if thou drink it moderately, thou shalt be sober.  

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  What is his life, who is diminished with wine?  

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  What taketh away life? death.  

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  Wine was created from the beginning to make men joyful, and not to make them drunk.  

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  Wine drunken with moderation is the joy of the soul and the heart.  

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  Sober drinking is health to soul and body.  

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  Wine drunken with excess raiseth quarrels; and wrath, and many ruins.  

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  Wine drunken with excess is bitterness of the soul.  

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  The heat of drunkenness is the stumblingblock of the fool, lessening strength and causing wounds.  

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  Rebuke not thy neighbour in a banquet of wine: and despise him not in hip mirth.  

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  Speak not to him words of reproach: and press him not in demanding again.  

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