DeaconTemperate living

Sirach — Chapter 31 — Hebrew–Greek comparison

Wealth, Food, and Wine

Saints Translation · V2 · Hebrew–Greek working comparison

Sirach 31 · 31 source units
Hebrew–English · Literal-Smooth	Greek–English · Literal-Smooth	Classification & Notes
Hebrew 31:1 · translated The rich man’s wakefulness wastes his flesh; anxiety over livelihood interrupts slumber. Hebrew witness B · B III Verso >{{שקד <שקד> עשיר ימחה שארו ]] [[ דאגת מחיה תפריע <}}תפריג נומה <דאגתו תפריג נומ]ה[> ׃ Manuscript transcription	31:1 Wakefulness over wealth wastes the flesh, and anxiety about it drives away sleep.	Similar · Hebrew 31:1 — Core sense agrees; independent Hebrew rendering of the selected primary witness. No claim of letter-for-letter identity.
Hebrew 31:2 · translated Anxiety over livelihood drives away slumber, and severe sickness interrupts slumber. Hebrew witness B · B III Verso [[ ]] דאגת מחיה תפריג נומה ומחלי חזק תפריע <ומחלה חז תפריג> נומה ׃ / רע נאמן תניד <תנוד> חרפה ]] [[ ומסתיר סוד אוהב כנפש ׃ Manuscript transcription	31:2 The anxiety of wakefulness will drive away drowsiness, and a severe illness will rouse a person from sleep.	Similar · Hebrew 31:2 — The folio also repeats an unrelated friendship saying; it is not part of the aligned Greek verse.
Hebrew 31:3 · translated The rich man’s toil is to acquire wealth, and when he rests, to receive pleasure. Hebrew witness B · B III Verso >עמלי <עמל> עשיר לקבל הון ]] [[ ואם ינוח לקבל תענוג <עמל ׃ Manuscript transcription	31:3 A rich person toiled in gathering money, and at rest he is filled with his luxuries.	Similar · Hebrew 31:3 — Core sense agrees; independent Hebrew rendering of the selected primary witness. No claim of letter-for-letter identity.
Hebrew 31:4 · translated The poor man toils for his household’s lack, and when he rests, he will be in need. Hebrew witness B · B III Verso יגע עני לחסר ביתו ]] [[ ואם ינוח יהיה צריך ׃ / עמל עני לחסר כחו ]] [[ ואם ינוח לא נחה לו ׃ Manuscript transcription	31:4 A poor person toiled with a diminished livelihood, and at rest he becomes needy.	Similar · Hebrew 31:4 — First B formulation; alternate says his strength is diminished and he has no rest.
Hebrew 31:5 · translated One who pursues gold will not go unpunished, and one who loves payment will go astray through it. Hebrew witness B · B III Verso רודף חרוץ <חריץ> לא ינקה ]] [[ ואוהב מחיר <במח׳> בו ישגה ׃ Manuscript transcription	31:5 The one who loves gold will not be justified, and the one who pursues profits will go astray in them.	Similar · Hebrew 31:5 — Core sense agrees; independent Hebrew rendering of the selected primary witness. No claim of letter-for-letter identity.
Hebrew 31:6 · translated Many have been wounded by gold, and those who trust in pearls have found no escape from evil, nor deliverance on the day of wrath. Hebrew witness B · B III Verso רבים היו חבולי <חללי> זהב ]] [[ והבוטח על פנינים ׃ / < ולא מצאו להנצל מרעה ]] [[ וגם להושע ביום עברה ולא מצאו להנצל ביום עברה ולהושיע ביום רעה> ׃ Manuscript transcription	31:6 Many were given over to ruin for gold, and their destruction happened before their face.	Different · Hebrew 31:6 — Hebrew extends the warning through inability to escape evil and wrath.
Hebrew 31:7 · translated For it is a stumbling block to a fool, and every simpleton is ensnared by it. Hebrew witness B · B III Verso כי תקלה הוא לאויל ]] [[ וכל פותה <פתח> יוקש בו ׃ Manuscript transcription	31:7 It is a stumbling block for those infatuated with it, and every fool will be caught by it.	Similar · Hebrew 31:7 — Core sense agrees; independent Hebrew rendering of the selected primary witness. No claim of letter-for-letter identity. Inherited Greek note 31:7 The source’s wooden stumbling object, ξύλον προσκόμματος, is represented by stumbling block; infatuation renders the strong ἐνθουσιάζουσιν.
Hebrew 31:8 · translated Happy the man found blameless, who has not turned aside after money. Hebrew witness B · B III Verso אשרי איש נמצא <מצא> תמים ]] [[ ואחר ממון לא נלוז ׃ Manuscript transcription	31:8 Happy is the rich person who was found blameless and did not go after gold.	Different · Hebrew 31:8 — Hebrew man is not expressly rich, unlike Greek.
Hebrew 31:9 · translated Who is this, that we may call him happy? For he has done wondrously among his people. Hebrew witness B · B III Verso מי הוא זה ונאשרנו ]] [[ כי הפליא לעשות בעמ]ו[ <מי הוא תאשרנו כי הפליא לעשות < ׃ Manuscript transcription	31:9 Who is he? We will call him happy, for he has done wonderful things among his people.	Similar · Hebrew 31:9 — Core sense agrees; independent Hebrew rendering of the selected primary witness. No claim of letter-for-letter identity.
Hebrew 31:10 · translated Who is this who clung to it and found well-being, and it became his glory? Who could turn aside and did not turn aside, and do evil but did not desire it? Hebrew witness B · B III Verso מי הוא זה שנדבק <הנדבק> בו ]] [[ והיה לו שלום והיה לו תפארת <לתפארה> <תפארת> ׃ / כי ברבות שלום חייו ]] [[ אהיה לך לתפארת ׃ / >מי ברכו וישלם חייו ]] [[ היא לך לתפארת <אהיה לך להתפאר ׃ / ֯מי יוכל לסור ולא סר ]] [[ ולהרע רעה ולא אב֯ ה ׃ Manuscript transcription	31:10 Who was tested by it and brought to completion? It will be a boast for him. Who could have transgressed and did not transgress, could have done evil things and did not do them?	Different · Hebrew 31:10 — Selects first and final B formulations; intervening duplicate formulations are unstable. Hebrew clinging/well-being differs Greek testing/completion.
Hebrew 31:11 · translated Therefore his good is established, and the assembly will recount his praise. Hebrew witness B · B III Verso על כן חזק טובו ]] [[ ותהלתו יספ֯ ר֯ ]ק[ה֯ ל ׃ Manuscript transcription	31:11 His good circumstances will be established, and the assembly will recount his almsgiving.	Different · Hebrew 31:11 — Hebrew praise contrasts Greek almsgiving.
Hebrew 31:12 · translated My son, if you have sat at a great man’s table, do not open your throat over it; do not say, “There is plenty upon it.” Hebrew witness B · B IV Recto British Library Or. 5518 Ben Sira 31:12-21 © The British Library Board מוסר לחם ויין יחדו ]] [[ / >בני אם על שלחן <<איש>> גדול ישבתה ]] [[ אל תפתח עליו גרנך <גרון ׃ / אל תאמר ספוק עליו Manuscript transcription	31:12 Have you sat at a great table? Do not open your throat over it or say, “How much there is upon it!”	Similar · Hebrew 31:12 — Core sense agrees; independent Hebrew rendering of the selected primary witness. No claim of letter-for-letter identity.
Hebrew 31:13 · translated Remember that an evil eye is evil. God hates an evil eye, and He has created nothing worse than it; therefore the eye is stirred by every matter, and tears flow from the face. Hebrew witness B · B IV Recto British Library Or. 5518 Ben Sira 31:12-21 © The British Library Board זכור <דע> כי רעה עין רעה ׃ / רע עין שונא אל ]] [[ ורע ממנו לא ברא ׃ / >כי זה מפני כל דבר תזוע <תזיע> עין ]] [[ ומפנים דמעה תדמע <תס֯ יע ׃ / >רע מעין לא חלק אל <רע מ׳ חלק אל> ]] [[ על כן מפני <על כל מלפני כל נס לחה ׃ Manuscript transcription	31:13 Remember that an evil eye is bad. What has been created worse than an eye? Therefore it weeps for every reason.	Different · Hebrew 31:13 — B includes divine hatred; several alternate formulations and annotated verbs appear. Inherited Greek note 31:13 For every reason provisionally renders ἀπὸ παντὸς προσώπου, literally from every face or presence; the exact idiom remains open.
Hebrew 31:14 · translated Where it looks, do not stretch out your hand, and do not join it in the basket. Hebrew witness B · B IV Recto British Library Or. 5518 Ben Sira 31:12-21 © The British Library Board מקום יביט }}אל{{ אל תושיט <תשית> יד ]] [[ ואל דיחד <תיחד> עמו בטנא ׃ Manuscript transcription	31:14 Do not stretch your hand toward whatever it looks at, and do not crowd together with it in the dish.	Similar · Hebrew 31:14 — B בטנא basket; Greek dish. Inherited Greek note 31:14 It follows the eye in the preceding verse; the singular pronoun’s relation to another diner remains compressed.
Hebrew 31:15 · translated Know your neighbor as your own soul, and consider everything you have hated. Hebrew witness B · B IV Recto British Library Or. 5518 Ben Sira 31:12-21 © The British Library Board דעה <רעה֯ > רעך כנפשך ]] [[ ובכל <וכל אשר> ששנאת התבונן ׃ Manuscript transcription	31:15 Understand your neighbor’s concerns from yourself, and consider every matter.	Different · Hebrew 31:15 — Hebrew hatred clause differs Greek every matter.
Hebrew 31:16 · translated Recline like a chosen man, and do not swoop upon the food, lest you become repulsive. Hebrew witness B · B IV Recto British Library Or. 5518 Ben Sira 31:12-21 © The British Library Board הסב כאיש אשר נבחר ]] [[ ואל תעט פן תגעל <אכל כאיש נכח ואל תעט פן תגלו תגלע> ׃ / דע שרעך כ מוך ואכול כאיש דבר ששם לפניך <<ולא תהיה גרגרן פן תמאס ׃ << Manuscript transcription	31:16 Eat what is set before you like a human being, and do not chew greedily, lest you be hated.	Similar · Hebrew 31:16 — First B formulation. Another says eat what is before you and do not be a glutton.
Hebrew 31:17 · translated Stop first for the sake of discipline, and do not gulp, lest you be despised. Hebrew witness B · B IV Recto British Library Or. 5518 Ben Sira 31:12-21 © The British Library Board ח֯ ד֯ ל ר֯ א֯ ש֯ ון בעב֯ ו֯ר מ֯ ו֯ס֯ ר ]] [[ ואל תׄ לע֯ פ֯ ן ת֯ מאס ׃ Manuscript transcription	31:17 Be the first to stop for the sake of good discipline; do not be insatiable, lest you stumble.	Similar · Hebrew 31:17 — Core sense agrees; independent Hebrew rendering of the selected primary witness. No claim of letter-for-letter identity.
Hebrew 31:18 · translated Even if you sit among many, do not stretch out your hand before your neighbor. Hebrew witness B · B IV Recto British Library Or. 5518 Ben Sira 31:12-21 © The British Library Board וגם א֯ ם֯ בין רבים ישבת ]] [[ לפני רע אל תושט יד ׃ Manuscript transcription	31:18 If you have sat among many, do not stretch out your hand before them.	Similar · Hebrew 31:18 — Core sense agrees; independent Hebrew rendering of the selected primary witness. No claim of letter-for-letter identity.
Hebrew 31:19 · translated Is not a little enough for a discerning man? On his bed he will not pant. Hebrew witness B · B IV Recto הלא די אנוש נב ^כ^ ון מזער <נכון מועד> ]] [[ ועל יצועיו <יצוריו> לא ישיק ׃ / הלא די אנוש נבון מזער Manuscript transcription Additional folio transcriptions: 2	31:19 How sufficient a little is for an instructed person! He does not pant upon his bed.	Similar · Hebrew 31:19 — Core sense agrees; independent Hebrew rendering of the selected primary witness. No claim of letter-for-letter identity.
Hebrew 31:20 · translated Pain and sleeplessness, distress and choking, and a contorted face accompany a foolish man. Life-giving sleep comes with an unburdened belly; in the morning he rises with his soul still with him. Hebrew witness B · B IV Recto British Library Or. 5518 Ben Sira 31:12-21 © The British Library Board מכאוב ונדד ישינה <ישנה> וצער ותשניק ]] [[ ופני <ופנים> הפוכות עם איש כסיל ׃ / ֯שנות חיים על קרב צ֯ ו֯לל ]] [[ וקם בבׄ קר ונפׄ שו אׄ ת֯ ו ׃ / ש ] °°° °°° °°°א[נ֯ ]ו[ש נב וןׄ ^כ^ °°° °°°° °°°°י֯לין עד בקר ונפשו עמו ׃ °°° °°° °°° °°° °°°[ — ] °°° Manuscript transcription	31:20 Healthy sleep comes with a moderate stomach. He rises early, and his soul is with him. The pain of sleeplessness, bilious vomiting, and cramp accompany an insatiable man.	Different · Hebrew 31:20 — B bodily symptoms differ and sequence reverses; alternate damaged repetition omitted. Inherited Greek note 31:20 Bilious vomiting renders χολέρας in its ancient bodily sense, without identifying the modern infectious disease. The source’s soul-with-him image is retained.
Hebrew 31:21 · translated Even if you have been overcome by delicacies, wait, wait, and you will find relief. Hebrew witness B · B IV Recto and B IV Verso (selected reading: Verso) נו ותמצא נחת ׃ / וגם אם נאנסתה במטעמים קוה קוה וינוח לך ׃ Manuscript transcription Additional folio transcriptions: 2	31:21 If you have been forced to eat too much, rise, vomit at a distance, and you will find rest.	Different · Hebrew 31:21 — B IVv reads קוה קוה, literally wait/hope; Greek explicitly says vomit. An emendation to קיא קיא would match that sense, but is not adopted here. Other B IVr wording is damaged. Inherited Greek note 31:21 The explicit ancient banquet instruction is retained as translated text, without adding a technique or modern medical claim.
Hebrew 31:22 · translated In all your deeds be restrained, and no calamity will touch you. Listen, my son, and do not despise me; in the end you will grasp my words. Hebrew witness B · B IV Verso British Library Or. 5518 Ben Sira 31:22-31:31 © The British Library Board בכל מעשיך היה צנוע ]] [[ וכל אסון לא יגע בך ׃ / שמע בני ואל תבוז לי ]] [[ ובאחרית תשיג אמ֯ ר֯ יׄ ׃ / שמע בני וקח מוסרי ואל תלעיג <תלעג> עלי ובאחרית תמצא דברי ׃ Manuscript transcription	31:22 Listen to me, child, and do not despise me; at the last you will find my words true. In all your works be skillful, and no illness will meet you.	Different · Hebrew 31:22 — Hebrew restraint/calamity versus Greek skill/illness; sequence differs. Inherited Greek note 31:22 True supplies the sense of finding the words confirmed; the final proverbial assurance is retained as the author’s statement.
Hebrew 31:23 · translated Lips bless one who is generous with bread; the testimony of his goodness is trustworthy. Hebrew witness B · B IV Verso British Library Or. 5518 Ben Sira 31:22-31:31 © The British Library Board טוב על לחם תברך שפה ]] [[ עדות טובו נאמנה ׃ Manuscript transcription	31:23 Lips will bless the generous provider of bread, and testimony to his excellence is trustworthy.	Similar · Hebrew 31:23 — Core sense agrees; independent Hebrew rendering of the selected primary witness. No claim of letter-for-letter identity.
Hebrew 31:24 · translated One who is mean with bread causes anger at the gate; the testimony of his evil is trustworthy. Hebrew witness B · B IV Verso British Library Or. 5518 Ben Sira 31:22-31:31 © The British Library Board רע על לחם ירגז בשער ]] [[ דעת <עדות> רועו נאמנה ׃ Manuscript transcription	31:24 A city will grumble against someone stingy with bread, and testimony to his meanness is precise.	Different · Hebrew 31:24 — B gate and trustworthy versus Greek city and precise; reads annotated עדות.
Hebrew 31:25 · translated Do not show yourself mighty over wine, for new wine has made many stumble. Hebrew witness B · B IV Verso British Library Or. 5518 Ben Sira 31:22-31:31 © The British Library Board ]] וגם על היין אל תתגבר [[ כי רבים הכשיל תירוש ׃ Manuscript transcription	31:25 Do not show your manliness with wine, for wine has destroyed many.	Similar · Hebrew 31:25 — Core sense agrees; independent Hebrew rendering of the selected primary witness. No claim of letter-for-letter identity.
Hebrew 31:26 · translated A furnace tests the work of the smith; so wine tests the quarrels of scoffers. Hebrew witness B · B IV Verso British Library Or. 5518 Ben Sira 31:22-31:31 © The British Library Board כור בוחן <ביתן> מעשה לוטש ]] [[ כן היין למצות <כי היית מצות> לצים ׃ / נבון בוחן מעשה מעשה ]] [[ כן שכר לריב לצים ׃ Manuscript transcription	31:26 A furnace tests hardened metal in quenching; so wine tests hearts in the quarrel of the proud.	Similar · Hebrew 31:26 — First B formulation, provisionally construed; second begins “A discerning man tests each deed.” Inherited Greek note 31:26 The metal-testing image is retained without specifying a modern alloy.
Hebrew 31:27 · translated Wine is life to a human being, if he drinks it in its measure. What is life without wine, which from the beginning was created for gladness? Hebrew witness B · B IV Verso British Library Or. 5518 Ben Sira 31:22-31:31 © The British Library Board למי היין חיים לאנוש ]] [[ אם ישתנו במתכ֯ נ֯ תו ׃ / >מה חי֯י֯ם֯ ח֯ ס֯ ר֯ ה֯ י֯יׄן ]] [[ שׄ הׄ וׄא מ֯ ר֯ אשי֯ת֯ <באר שית> לש֯ מחׄ הׄ נׄ וׄצר <נוצרו ׃ Manuscript transcription	31:27 Wine is like life for human beings if you drink it in its measure. What is life for someone lacking wine? It too was created for human gladness.	Similar · Hebrew 31:27 — Core sense agrees; independent Hebrew rendering of the selected primary witness. No claim of letter-for-letter identity. Inherited Greek note 31:27 The positive statement is retained alongside the warnings against excess.
Hebrew 31:28 · translated Gladness of heart, rejoicing, and adornment are wine drunk at its proper time. Hebrew witness B · B IV Verso British Library Or. 5518 Ben Sira 31:22-31:31 © The British Library Board שמחת לב וששון ועדוי ]] [[ יין נשתה ב֯ ע֯ תׄ ו <בעת> ורׄ אי ׃ / חיי מה להסרׄ תירוש ]] [[ והוא לגיל נחלק מראש ׃ Manuscript transcription	31:28 Wine drunk at the proper time in sufficient measure is rejoicing of heart and gladness of soul.	Similar · Hebrew 31:28 — First B formulation; following alternate is textually difficult.
Hebrew 31:29 · translated Headache, wormwood, and disgrace are wine drunk in rivalry and anger. Hebrew witness B · B IV Verso British Library Or. 5518 Ben Sira 31:22-31:31 © The British Library Board כאב ראש לענה וקלון ]] [[ יין נשתה בתחרה וכעס ׃ Manuscript transcription	31:29 Wine drunk in quantity amid provocation and conflict is bitterness of soul.	Different · Hebrew 31:29 — Hebrew concrete headache and disgrace differ Greek bitterness of soul.
Hebrew 31:30 · translated Much wine is a snare to a fool: it diminishes strength and provides wounds. Hebrew witness B · B IV Verso British Library Or. 5518 Ben Sira 31:22-31:31 © The British Library Board >מ֯ ר֯ בה חׄ מר לכׄ ס֯ יל מ֯ ו֯קש <נוקש> ]] [[ מחס֯ ר כח ומספק פצע <פחד ׃ Manuscript transcription	31:30 Drunkenness multiplies a fool’s anger to his stumbling, diminishing strength and adding wounds.	Similar · Hebrew 31:30 — Core sense agrees; independent Hebrew rendering of the selected primary witness. No claim of letter-for-letter identity.
Hebrew 31:31 · fragmentary At a wine banquet do not rebuke a friend, and do not grieve him in his gladness. Do not speak a reproachful word to him […] before other people. Hebrew witness B · B IV Verso British Library Or. 5518 Ben Sira 31:22-31:31 © The British Library Board ֯במשתה היין א֯ ל ]תו[כ֯ ח֯ ר֯ עׄ ]] [[ ו֯א֯ ל ת֯ ו֯ג֯ ה֯ ו֯ <תחרפהו> ]בח[ד֯ ]ו[ת֯ ו ׃ / דבר חרפה אל ]תאמר לו ]] [[ — °°[<ע֯ מ֯ ו֯ לעׄ יׄנׄ יׄ בני אד]ם <] Manuscript transcription	31:31 At a wine banquet do not rebuke your neighbor or despise him in his gladness. Do not speak a reproachful word to him or distress him with a demand for repayment.	Different · Hebrew 31:31 — Final Hebrew clause damaged; the Greek demand for repayment is not supplied. Classification assesses only the surviving/readable wording, not lost portions. Inherited Greek note 31:31 All four restrictions are retained; the last concerns a financial demand in context.

Source and numbering

Hebrew English is newly translated from the manuscript-specific transcriptions in The Book of Ben Sira portal. Each translated unit identifies its selected witness and folio. This is a selected-witness working edition, not an exhaustive collation of every manuscript or a reconstruction of lost Hebrew. Brackets and fragmentary status identify uncertainty; no Greek text has been back-translated to fill Hebrew gaps.

The Greek-source English and its notes are inherited from the existing Sirach edition. The comparison categories are provisional editorial assessments against that English; this update is not a fresh verification of every Greek reading or its apparatus.

Working translation preserved from the recovered manuscript of 8 September 2026. Declared source: Septuaginta, Rahlfs–Hanhart, 2006, Deutsche Bibelgesellschaft, publisher’s Greek main text. Independent linguistic and critical-apparatus review remains outstanding. Source-access and reception claims in the inherited notes have not been freshly revalidated. Chapter and section headings are editorial.

The translator’s prologue is separate from the 51 chapters. Its eight source units map to publisher labels 1, 1a–1g; main-text 1:1 maps to 1h. Source 5:15 includes material often numbered 6:1, so chapter 6 begins at 6:2. Source label gaps are preserved; no text is invented.