Sirach 30

Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition

30 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 profit by him,
    and will boast of him among acquaintances.
³ He who teaches his son will make his enemies envious,
    and will glory in him in the presence of friends.
⁴ The^[a] father may die, and yet he is not dead,
    for he has left behind him one like himself;
⁵ while alive he saw and rejoiced,
    and when he died he was not grieved;
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 bind up his wounds,
    and his feelings will be troubled at every cry.
⁸ A horse that is untamed turns out to be stubborn,
    and a son unrestrained turns out to be wilful.
⁹ Pamper a child, and he will frighten you;
    play with him, and he will give you grief.
¹⁰ Do not laugh with him, lest you have sorrow with him,
    and in the end you will gnash your teeth.
¹¹ Give him no authority in his youth,
    and do not ignore his errors.
¹² Bow down his neck in his youth,^[b]
    and beat his sides while he is young,
lest he become stubborn and disobey you,
    and you have sorrow of soul from him.^[c]
13 Discipline your son and take pains with him,
    that you may not be offended by his shamelessness.

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 Health and soundness are better than all gold,
    and a robust body than countless riches.
¹⁶ There is no wealth better than health of body,
    and there is no gladness above joy of heart.
¹⁷ Death is better than a miserable life,
    and eternal rest^[d] than chronic sickness.

¹⁸ Good things poured out upon a mouth that is closed
    are like offerings of food placed upon a grave.
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 he sees with his eyes and groans,
    like a eunuch who embraces a maiden and groans.

²¹ Do not give yourself over to sorrow,
    and do not afflict yourself deliberately.
²² Gladness of heart is the life of man,
    and the rejoicing of a man is length of days.
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 Jealousy and anger shorten life,
    and anxiety brings on old age too soon.
²⁵ A man of cheerful and good heart
    will give heed to the food he eats.