Sirach 30

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