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The Book of Jesus Sirach

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- Chapter 30 -

Of correction of children. Health is better than wealth. Excessive grief is hurtful.

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 instructs his son will be praised over him and will glory in him, in the midst of his household.
3
He who teaches his son will make his enemy jealous, and in the midst of his friends, he will glory in 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 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
For he left behind himself a defender of his house against his enemies, and someone who will 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.
8
An untamed horse becomes stubborn, and a child left to himself becomes headstrong.
9
Coddle a son, and he will make you afraid. Play with him, and he will make you sorrowful.
10
You should not laugh with him; otherwise you may have grief, and in the end, your teeth will be clenched.
11
You should not give him power in his youth, but you should not despise his thoughts.
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
Instruct your son, and work with him, lest you give offense by his shameful behavior.
14
Better is a healthy pauper with a strong constitution, than a wealthy man who is weak and afflicted by maladies.
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
There is no revenue above the revenue of a healthy body. And there is no delight above a joyful heart.
17
Death is better than a bitter life. And eternal rest is better than continual sickness.
18
Good things hidden in a closed mouth are like seats at a feast placed around a grave.
19
What benefit is there in an offering to an idol? For it can neither eat, nor smell.
20
So is he who flees from the Lord, carrying the wages of his iniquity.
21
He sees with his eyes and groans, like a eunuch who embraces a virgin and sighs.
22
You should not give your soul to sadness, and you should not afflict yourself by your own counsel.
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
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
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.

Of correction of children. Health is better than wealth. Excessive grief is hurtful.

1
He who loves his son will continue to lay stripes upon him, that he may have joy from him in the end.
2
He who chastises his son will have profit from him, and will brag about him among his acquaintances.
3
He who teaches his son will provoke his enemy to jealousy. Before friends, he will rejoice in him.
4
His father dies, and is as though he had not died; for he has left one behind him like himself.
5
In his life, he saw his son and rejoiced. When he died, it was without regret.
6
He left behind him an avenger against his enemies, and one to repay kindness to his friends.
7
He who makes too much of his son will bind up his wounds. His heart will be troubled at every cry.
8
An unbroken horse becomes stubborn. An unrestrained son becomes headstrong.
9
Pamper your child, and he will make you afraid. Play with him, and he will grieve you.
10
Don’t laugh with him, lest you have sorrow with him, and you gnash your teeth in the end.
11
Give him no liberty in his youth, and don’t ignore his follies.(a)
12
(b)Bow down his neck in his youth, and beat him on the sides while he is a child, lest he become stubborn, and be disobedient to you, and there be sorrow to your soul.(c)
13
Chastise your son, and give him work, lest his shameless behavior be an offense to you.
14
Better is a poor man who is healthy and fit, than a rich man who is afflicted in his body.
15
Health and fitness are better than all gold, and a strong body better than wealth without measure.
16
There is no wealth better than health of body. There is no gladness above the joy of the heart.
17
Death is better than a bitter life, and eternal rest than a continual sickness.
18
Good things poured out upon a mouth that is closed are like food offerings laid upon a grave.
19
What does an offering profit an idol? For it can’t eat or smell. So is he who is punished by the Lord,
20
seeing with his eyes and groaning, like a eunuch embracing a virgin and groaning.
21
Don’t give your soul to sorrow. Don’t afflict yourself deliberately.
22
Gladness of heart is the life of a man. Cheerfulness of a man lengthens his days.
23
Love your own soul, and comfort your heart. Remove sorrow far from you, for sorrow has destroyed many, and there is no profit in it.
24
Envy and wrath shorten life. Anxiety brings old age before its time.
25
Those who are cheerful and merry will benefit from their food.

Footnotes

(a)30:11 This line and the previous two lines are absent from some older MSS.
(b)30:12 These three lines are absent from the oldest MSS.
(c)30:12 These three lines are absent from the oldest MSS.
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