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Table Etiquette

¹² Are you seated at the table of the great?^*
   Do not be greedy at it,
   and do not say, ‘How much food there is here!’
¹³ Remember that a greedy eye is a bad thing.
   What has been created more greedy than the eye?
   Therefore it sheds tears for any reason.
¹⁴ Do not reach out your hand for everything you see,
   and do not crowd your neighbour^* at the dish.
¹⁵ Judge your neighbour’s feelings by your own,
   and in every matter be thoughtful.
¹⁶ Eat what is set before you like a well-bred person,^*
   and do not chew greedily, or you will give offence.
¹⁷ Be the first to stop, as befits good manners,
   and do not be insatiable, or you will give offence.
¹⁸ If you are seated among many others,
   do not help yourself^* before they do.

Temperance in Drinking Wine

²⁵ Do not try to prove your strength by wine-drinking,
   for wine has destroyed many.
²⁶ As the furnace tests the work of the smith,^*
   so wine tests hearts when the insolent quarrel.
²⁷ Wine is very life to human beings
   if taken in moderation.
What is life to one who is without wine?
   It has been created to make people happy.
²⁸ Wine drunk at the proper time and in moderation
   is rejoicing of heart and gladness of soul.
²⁹ Wine drunk to excess leads to bitterness of spirit,
   to quarrels and stumbling.
³⁰ Drunkenness increases the anger of a fool to his own hurt,
   reducing his strength and adding wounds.
³¹ Do not reprove your neighbour at a banquet of wine,
   and do not despise him in his merrymaking;
speak no word of reproach to him,
   and do not distress him by making demands of him.

Etiquette at a Banquet

32If they make you master of the feast, do not exalt yourself;
   be among them as one of their number.
Take care of them first and then sit down;
²   when you have fulfilled all your duties, take your place,
so that you may be merry along with them
   and receive a garland for your excellent leadership.