| 1 | Watching for wealth consumes the flesh, and thinking about it takes away sleep. |
| 2 | Anticipation in thought distracts the mind, and a grievous infirmity makes the soul sober. |
| 3 | The rich man has labored in gathering wealth, and in his rest, he will be filled with his goods. |
| 4 | The poor man has labored in his lowly way, and in the end, he may still be in need. |
| 5 | Whoever loves gold will not be justified. And whoever pursues consumption will be consumed by it. |
| 6 | Many have been caused to fall because of gold, and it became their ruin by its beauty. |
| 7 | Gold is a stumbling block to those who sacrifice for it. Woe to those who pursue it eagerly, for all the imprudent will perish by it. |
| 8 | Blessed is the rich man who is found to be without blemish. And blessed is he who has not gone after gold, nor placed his hope in money or treasures. |
| 9 | Who is he? For we should praise him. For he has done wonderful things in his life. |
| 10 | He has been tested by it, and has become perfect; he will have eternal glory. He was able to transgress, but he has not transgressed. He was able to do evil, but he has not done evil. |
| 11 | Therefore, his good things are established in the Lord, and the entire Church of the saints will proclaim his almsgiving. |
| 12 | Are you seated at a great table? You should not open your mouth over it first. |
| 13 | You should not speak in this way: "There are many things that are upon it." |
| 14 | Remember that a wicked eye is evil. |
| 15 | What has been made more wicked than the eye? Therefore, when it sees, it will shed tears over the entire face. |
| 16 | You should not extend your hand first, for then, having been corrupted by envy, you would be ashamed. |
| 17 | You should not press forward at a feast. |
| 18 | Understand which things are your neighbor's and not your own. |
| 19 | Make use of the things that are set before you, just as a frugal man would. Otherwise, if you eat much, you will be hated. |
| 20 | Cease eating first, for the sake of discipline. And do not eat to excess, lest you offend. |
| 21 | And if you sit in the midst of many, you should not extend your hand before they do, and you should not be the first to ask for a drink. |
| 22 | How sufficient is a little wine for a well-taught man! For in sleep, you will not labor because of it, and you will not feel pain. |
| 23 | Worry, and disease, and torment are with an intemperate man. |
| 24 | A healthy sleep is with a temperate man. He will sleep until morning, and his soul will be delighted with him. |
| 25 | And if you have been coaxed into eating too much, rise up, go outside, and vomit. And it will refresh you, and you will not bring sickness upon your body. |
| 26 | Listen to me, son, for you should not spurn me. And in the very end, you will discover my words. |
| 27 | In all your works, be prompt, and then no infirmity will befall you. |
| 28 | The lips of many will bless the splendid in bread. For the testimony of his truthfulness is faithful. |
| 29 | The city will murmur against the wicked in bread. For the testimony against his wickedness is true. |
| 30 | Do not choose to provoke those who love wine. For wine has destroyed many. |
| 31 | Fire tests the hardness of iron; similarly, drinking wine to inebriation will rebuke the hearts of the arrogant. |
| 32 | Drinking wine in sobriety gives a contented life to men. If you drink it in moderation, you will be sober. |
| 33 | What is life to him who is diminished by wine? |
| 34 | What can cheat him of his life? Death. |
| 35 | From the beginning, wine was created for cheerfulness, but not for inebriation. |
| 36 | Wine taken in moderation lifts up the mind and the heart. |
| 37 | Sober drinking is healthful to mind and body. |
| 38 | Wine taken in excess stirs up conflict and anger, and brings many to ruin. |
| 39 | Wine taken in excess is bitter to the soul. |
| 40 | The effects of inebriation are a stumbling block to the imprudent, diminishing strength and causing wounds. |
| 41 | You should not argue with your neighbor during a banquet of wine. And you should not spurn him in his cheerfulness. |
| 42 | You should not speak words of reproach to him. And you should not press him with repeated requests. |
