Sirach 30

NEW JERUSALEM	CATHOLIC PUBLIC DOMAIN
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 will frequently chastise him, so that he may be happy in the very end, and not grope for the doors of his neighbors.
2 Whoever is strict with his son wil reap the benefit, and be able to boast of him to his acquaintances.	2 He who instructs his son will be praised over him and will glory in him, in the midst of his household.
3 Whoever educates his son wil be the envy of his enemy, and wil be proud of him among his friends.	3 He who teaches his son will make his enemy jealous, and in the midst of his friends, he will glory in him.
4 Even when the father dies, he might wel not be dead, since he leaves his likeness behind 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 life he has had the joy of his company, dying, he has no anxieties.	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 He leaves an avenger against his enemies and a rewarder of favours for his friends.	6 For he left behind himself a defender of his house against his enemies, and someone who will repay his friends with kindness.
7 Whoever coddles his son will bandage his wounds, his heart wil turn over at every cry.	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 A badly broken-in horse turns out stubborn, a son left to himself turns out headstrong.	8 An untamed horse becomes stubborn, and a child left to himself becomes headstrong.
9 Pamper your child and he wil terrorise you, play along with him and he wil bring you sorrow.	9 Coddle a son, and he will make you afraid. Play with him, and he will make you sorrowful.
10 Do not laugh with him, or one day you wil weep with him and end up gnashing your teeth.	10 You should not laugh with him; otherwise you may have grief, and in the end, your teeth be clenched.
11 While he is young, do not al ow him his freedom and do not wink at his mistakes.	11 You should not give him power in his youth, but you should not despise his thoughts.
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 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 Be strict with your son, and persevere with him, or you will rue his insolence.	13 Instruct your son, and work with him, lest you give offense by his shameful behavior.
14 Better be poor if healthy and fit than rich if tormented in body.	14 Better is a healthy pauper with a strong constitution, than a wealthy man who is weak and afflicted by maladies.
15 Health and strength are better than any gold, a robust body than untold wealth.	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 No riches can outweigh bodily health, no enjoyment surpass a cheerful heart.	16 There is no revenue above the revenue of a healthy body. And there is no delight above a joyful heart.
17 Better death than a wretched life, and everlasting rest than chronic il ness.	17 Death is better than a bitter life. And eternal rest is better than continual sickness.
18 Good things lavished on a closed mouth are like food offerings put on a grave.	18 Good things hidden in a closed mouth are like seats at a feast placed around a grave.
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 benefit is there in an offering to an idol? For it can neither eat, nor smell.
20 He looks and sighs like a eunuch embracing a pretty girl -- how he sighs!	20 So is he who flees from the Lord, carrying the wages of his iniquity.
21 Do not abandon yourself to sorrow, do not torment yourself with brooding.	21 He sees with his eyes and groans, like a eunuch who embraces a virgin and sighs.
22 Gladness of heart is life to anyone, joy is what gives length of days.	22 You should not give your soul to sadness, and you should not afflict yourself by your own counsel.
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 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 Jealousy and anger shorten your days, and worry brings premature old age.	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 A genial heart makes a good trencherman, someone who enjoys a good meal.	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.