Sirach 30

CATHOLIC PUBLIC DOMAIN	NEW AMERICAN BIBLE
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.	1 He who loves his son chastises him often, that he may be his joy when he grows up.
2 He who instructs his son will be praised over him and will glory in him, in the midst of his household.	2 He who disciplines his son will benefit from him, and boast of him among his intimates.
3 He who teaches his son will make his enemy jealous, and in the midst of his friends, he will glory in him.	3 He who educates his son makes his enemy jealous, and shows his delight in him among his friends.
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.	4 At the father's death, he will seem not dead, since he leaves after him one 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.	5 Whom he looks upon through life with joy, and even in death, without regret:
6 For he left behind himself a defender of his house against his enemies, and someone who will repay his friends with kindness.	6 The avenger he leaves against his foes, and the one to 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.	7 He who spoils his son will have wounds to bandage, and will quake inwardly at every outcry.
8 An untamed horse becomes stubborn, and a child left to himself becomes headstrong.	8 A colt untamed turns out stubborn; a son left to himself grows up unruly.
9 Coddle a son, and he will make you afraid. Play with him, and he will make you sorrowful.	9 Pamper your child and he will be a terror for you, indulge him and he will bring you grief.
10 You should not laugh with him; otherwise you may have grief, and in the end, your teeth be clenched.	10 Share not in his frivolity lest you share in his sorrow, when finally your teeth are clenched in remorse.
11 You should not give him power in his youth, but you should not despise his thoughts.	11 Give him not his own way in his youth, and close not your eyes to his follies.
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.	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 Instruct your son, and work with him, lest you give offense by his shameful behavior.	13 Discipline your son, make heavy his yoke, lest his folly humiliate you.
14 Better is a healthy pauper with a strong constitution, than a wealthy man who is weak and afflicted by maladies.	14 Better a poor man strong and robust, than a rich man with wasted frame.
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.	15 More precious than gold is health and well-being, contentment of spirit than coral.
16 There is no revenue above the revenue of a healthy body. And there is no delight above a joyful heart.	16 No treasure greater than a healthy body; no happiness, than a joyful heart!
17 Death is better than a bitter life. And eternal rest is better than continual sickness.	17 Preferable is death to a bitter life, unending sleep to constant illness.
18 Good things hidden in a closed mouth are like seats at a feast placed around a grave.	18 Dainties set before one who cannot eat are like the offerings placed before a tomb.
19 What benefit is there in an offering to an idol? For it can neither eat, nor smell.	19 What good is an offering to an idol that can neither taste nor smell?
20 So is he who flees from the Lord, carrying the wages of his iniquity.	20 So it is with the afflicted man who groans at the good things his eyes behold!
21 He sees with his eyes and groans, like a eunuch who embraces a virgin and sighs.	21 Do not give in to sadness, torment not yourself with brooding;
22 You should not give your soul to sadness, and you should not afflict yourself by your own counsel.	22 Gladness of heart is the very life of man, cheerfulness prolongs his days.
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.	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 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.	24 Envy and anger shorten one's life, worry brings on premature old age.
25 For sadness has killed many, and there is no usefulness in it.	25 One who is cheerful and gay while at table benefits from his food.
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.