Sirach 16:1-3

Common English Bible

16 Don’t wish for a multitude
of worthless children,
    and don’t be glad about sons and daughters if they are ungodly.
² If they have children,
don’t rejoice over them
    unless they respect the Lord.
³ Don’t be confident that they will live,
    and don’t rely on their great number.^[a]
    One is better than a thousand,
    and it’s better to die childless
    than to have ungodly children.