Sirach 30

¹ He who loves his son will frequently chastise him, so that he may be happy in the very end, and not grope for the doors of his neighbors.

² He who instructs his son will be praised over him and will glory in him, in the midst of his household.

³ He who teaches his son will make his enemy jealous, and in the midst of his friends, he will glory in him.

⁴ When his father has died, it will be as if he were not dead. For he will have left behind someone who is like himself.

⁵ In his life, he saw him and rejoiced in him. And at his passing, he was not sorrowful, nor was he confounded in the sight of his enemies.

⁶ For he left behind himself a defender of his house against his enemies, and someone who will repay his friends with kindness.

⁷ For the sake of the souls of his sons, he will bind up his wounds, and at every voice, his gut will be stirred up.

⁸ An untamed horse becomes stubborn, and a child left to himself becomes headstrong.

⁹ Coddle a son, and he will make you afraid. Play with him, and he will make you sorrowful.

¹⁰ You should not laugh with him; otherwise you may have grief, and in the end, your teeth be clenched.

¹¹ You should not give him power in his youth, but you should not despise his thoughts.

¹² Bow down his neck in his youth, and slap his sides while he is a child, lest perhaps he may become stubborn, and then he will not trust you, and so he will bring sorrow to your soul.

¹³ Instruct your son, and work with him, lest you give offense by his shameful behavior.

¹⁴ Better is a healthy pauper with a strong constitution, than a wealthy man who is weak and afflicted by maladies.

¹⁵ A healthy soul with the sanctity of justice is better than all the gold and silver. And a sound body is better than immense revenues.

¹⁶ There is no revenue above the revenue of a healthy body. And there is no delight above a joyful heart.

¹⁷ Death is better than a bitter life. And eternal rest is better than continual sickness.

¹⁸ Good things hidden in a closed mouth are like seats at a feast placed around a grave.

¹⁹ What benefit is there in an offering to an idol? For it can neither eat, nor smell.

²⁰ So is he who flees from the Lord, carrying the wages of his iniquity.

²¹ He sees with his eyes and groans, like a eunuch who embraces a virgin and sighs.

²² You should not give your soul to sadness, and you should not afflict yourself by your own counsel.

²³ The gladness of the heart is the life of a man, and it is a treasure of sanctity without defect. And the exultation of a man is length of life.

²⁴ Take pity on your own soul by pleasing God, and show self-restraint. Gather your heart into his sanctity, and drive sadness far away from yourself.

²⁵ For sadness has killed many, and there is no usefulness in it.

²⁶ Envy and anger will diminish your days, and pensiveness will bring old age before its time.

²⁷ A cheerful and good heart is like a feast. And its feasts are formed by diligence.