Sirach 30

NEW AMERICAN BIBLE	Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition
1 He who loves his son chastises him often, that he may be his joy when he grows up.	1 He who loves his son will whip him often, in order that he may rejoice at the way he turns out.
2 He who disciplines his son will benefit from him, and boast of him among his intimates.	2 He who disciplines his son will profit by him, and will boast of him among acquaintances.
3 He who educates his son makes his enemy jealous, and shows his delight in him among his friends.	3 He who teaches his son will make his enemies envious, and will glory in him in the presence of friends.
4 At the father's death, he will seem not dead, since he leaves after him one like himself,	4 The father may die, and yet he is not dead, for he has left behind him one like himself;
5 Whom he looks upon through life with joy, and even in death, without regret:	5 while alive he saw and rejoiced, and when he died he was not grieved;
6 The avenger he leaves against his foes, and the one to repay his friends with kindness.	6 he has left behind him an avenger against his enemies, and one to repay the kindness of his friends.
7 He who spoils his son will have wounds to bandage, and will quake inwardly at every outcry.	7 He who spoils his son will bind up his wounds, and his feelings will be troubled at every cry.
8 A colt untamed turns out stubborn; a son left to himself grows up unruly.	8 A horse that is untamed turns out to be stubborn, and a son unrestrained turns out to be wilful.
9 Pamper your child and he will be a terror for you, indulge him and he will bring you grief.	9 Pamper a child, and he will frighten you; play with him, and he will give you grief.
10 Share not in his frivolity lest you share in his sorrow, when finally your teeth are clenched in remorse.	10 Do not laugh with him, lest you have sorrow with him, and in the end you will gnash your teeth.
11 Give him not his own way in his youth, and close not your eyes to his follies.	11 Give him no authority in his youth, and do not ignore his errors.
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.	12 Bow down his neck in his youth, and beat his sides while he is young, lest he become stubborn and disobey you, and you have sorrow of soul from him.
13 Discipline your son, make heavy his yoke, lest his folly humiliate you.	13 Discipline your son and take pains with him, that you may not be offended by his shamelessness.
14 Better a poor man strong and robust, than a rich man with wasted frame.	14 Better off is a poor man who is well and strong in constitution than a rich man who is severely afflicted in body.
15 More precious than gold is health and well-being, contentment of spirit than coral.	15 Health and soundness are better than all gold, and a robust body than countless riches.
16 No treasure greater than a healthy body; no happiness, than a joyful heart!	16 There is no wealth better than health of body, and there is no gladness above joy of heart.
17 Preferable is death to a bitter life, unending sleep to constant illness.	17 Death is better than a miserable life, and eternal rest than chronic sickness.
18 Dainties set before one who cannot eat are like the offerings placed before a tomb.	18 Good things poured out upon a mouth that is closed are like offerings of food placed upon a grave.
19 What good is an offering to an idol that can neither taste nor smell?	19 Of what use to an idol is an offering of fruit? For it can neither eat nor smell. So is he who is afflicted by the Lord;
20 So it is with the afflicted man who groans at the good things his eyes behold!	20 he sees with his eyes and groans, like a eunuch who embraces a maiden and groans.
21 Do not give in to sadness, torment not yourself with brooding;	21 Do not give yourself over to sorrow, and do not afflict yourself deliberately.
22 Gladness of heart is the very life of man, cheerfulness prolongs his days.	22 Gladness of heart is the life of man, and the rejoicing of a man is length of days.
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.	23 Delight your soul and comfort your heart, and remove sorrow far from you, for sorrow has destroyed many, and there is no profit in it.
24 Envy and anger shorten one's life, worry brings on premature old age.	24 Jealousy and anger shorten life, and anxiety brings on old age too soon.
25 One who is cheerful and gay while at table benefits from his food.	25 A man of cheerful and good heart will give heed to the food he eats.