Sirach 30

NEW JERUSALEM	NEW AMERICAN BIBLE
1 Whoever loves his son will beat him frequently so that in after years the son may be his comfort.	1 He who loves his son chastises him often, that he may be his joy when he grows up.
2 Whoever is strict with his son wil reap the benefit, and be able to boast of him to his acquaintances.	2 He who disciplines his son will benefit from him, and boast of him among his intimates.
3 Whoever educates his son wil be the envy of his enemy, and wil be proud of him among his friends.	3 He who educates his son makes his enemy jealous, and shows his delight in him among his friends.
4 Even when the father dies, he might wel not be dead, since he leaves his likeness behind him.	4 At the father's death, he will seem not dead, since he leaves after him one like himself,
5 In life he has had the joy of his company, dying, he has no anxieties.	5 Whom he looks upon through life with joy, and even in death, without regret:
6 He leaves an avenger against his enemies and a rewarder of favours for his friends.	6 The avenger he leaves against his foes, and the one to repay his friends with kindness.
7 Whoever coddles his son will bandage his wounds, his heart wil turn over at every cry.	7 He who spoils his son will have wounds to bandage, and will quake inwardly at every outcry.
8 A badly broken-in horse turns out stubborn, a son left to himself turns out headstrong.	8 A colt untamed turns out stubborn; a son left to himself grows up unruly.
9 Pamper your child and he wil terrorise you, play along with him and he wil bring you sorrow.	9 Pamper your child and he will be a terror for you, indulge him and he will bring you grief.
10 Do not laugh with him, or one day you wil weep with him and end up gnashing your teeth.	10 Share not in his frivolity lest you share in his sorrow, when finally your teeth are clenched in remorse.
11 While he is young, do not al ow him his freedom and do not wink at his mistakes.	11 Give him not his own way in his youth, and close not your eyes to his follies.
12 Bend his neck in youth, bruise his ribs while he is a child, or else he wil grow stubborn anddisobedient, and hurt you very deeply.	12 Bend him to the yoke when he is young, thrash his sides while he is still small, Lest he become stubborn, disobey you, and leave you disconsolate.
13 Be strict with your son, and persevere with him, or you will rue his insolence.	13 Discipline your son, make heavy his yoke, lest his folly humiliate you.
14 Better be poor if healthy and fit than rich if tormented in body.	14 Better a poor man strong and robust, than a rich man with wasted frame.
15 Health and strength are better than any gold, a robust body than untold wealth.	15 More precious than gold is health and well-being, contentment of spirit than coral.
16 No riches can outweigh bodily health, no enjoyment surpass a cheerful heart.	16 No treasure greater than a healthy body; no happiness, than a joyful heart!
17 Better death than a wretched life, and everlasting rest than chronic il ness.	17 Preferable is death to a bitter life, unending sleep to constant illness.
18 Good things lavished on a closed mouth are like food offerings put on a grave.	18 Dainties set before one who cannot eat are like the offerings placed before a tomb.
19 What use is an offering to an idol which can neither eat nor smel ? How describe someone pursued bythe Lord's displeasure?	19 What good is an offering to an idol that can neither taste nor smell?
20 He looks and sighs like a eunuch embracing a pretty girl -- how he sighs!	20 So it is with the afflicted man who groans at the good things his eyes behold!
21 Do not abandon yourself to sorrow, do not torment yourself with brooding.	21 Do not give in to sadness, torment not yourself with brooding;
22 Gladness of heart is life to anyone, joy is what gives length of days.	22 Gladness of heart is the very life of man, cheerfulness prolongs his days.
23 Give your cares the slip, console your heart, chase sorrow far away; for sorrow has been the ruin ofmany, and is no use to anybody.	23 Distract yourself, renew your courage, drive resentment far away from you; For worry has brought death to many, nor is there aught to be gained from resentment.
24 Jealousy and anger shorten your days, and worry brings premature old age.	24 Envy and anger shorten one's life, worry brings on premature old age.
25 A genial heart makes a good trencherman, someone who enjoys a good meal.	25 One who is cheerful and gay while at table benefits from his food.