1
Wakefulness over wealth wastes the flesh, and anxiety over it drives away sleep.
2
The anxiety of wakefulness banishes drowsiness, and severe sickness drives sleep away.
3
A wealthy man labors in gathering silver, and in his rest he fills himself with luxuries.
4
A poor man labors while his livelihood diminishes, and in his rest he becomes needy.
5
One who loves gold shall not be declared right, and one pursuing gain shall be led astray within it.
6
Many have been given over to a fall because of gold, and their destruction came before their face.
7
It is a tree of stumbling to those possessed by it, and every one without sense is captured by it.
8
Blessed is the wealthy man found without blemish, who has not walked behind gold.
9
Who is he? We shall call him blessed, for he has worked wonders among his people.
10
Who was tested by it and found complete? It shall become his boast. Who had power to transgress and did not, and to work evil and did not do it?
11
His good things shall be established, and the assembly shall recount his righteous generosity.
12
Have you sat at a great table? Do not open your throat over it, and do not say, “How much is upon it!”
13
Remember that an evil eye is evil. What was created more evil than an eye? Therefore it sheds tears from every face.
14
Wherever another looks, do not stretch out your hand, and do not crowd him in the dish.
15
Understand your neighbor’s matters from your own, and consider every deed.
16
Eat what is set before you as an Adam, and do not chew greedily, lest you be hated.
17
Be first to cease for the sake of instruction; do not be insatiable, lest you stumble.
18
If you sit among many, do not stretch out your hand before theirs.
19
How sufficient is a little for an instructed Adam; upon his bed he does not breathe heavily.
20
Healthy sleep comes with a moderate inward part; he rises early, and his being is with him. The pain of wakefulness, sickness, and cramping accompanies an insatiable ish.
21
If you were compelled to overeat, rise, vomit far away, and you shall have rest.
22
Hear me, my son, and do not despise me; at the end you shall find my Words. Be diligent in all your works, and no sickness shall meet you.
23
Lips bless one splendid with bread, and the witness of his goodness is trustworthy.
24
A city murmurs against one evil with bread, and the witness of his evil is exact.
25
Do not show yourself mighty with wine, for wine has destroyed many.
26
A furnace tests tempered metal by dipping; so wine tests hearts in the quarrel of the proud.
27
Wine is like life to sons of Adam if you drink it by measure. What life is there when wine is lacking? It was created for the rejoicing of Adam.
28
Joy of heart and rejoicing of being are wine drunk sufficiently in its appointed time.
29
Bitterness of being is wine drunk in abundance, with provocation and conflict.
30
Drunkenness multiplies the wrath of a fool unto stumbling, diminishing strength and adding wounds.
31
At a wine-feast do not correct your neighbor or despise him in his rejoicing. Do not speak a word of reproach to him or afflict him by demanding payment.