Sirach 30:14-25
Good News Translation
Health
14 It is better to be poor, but strong and healthy, than to be rich, but in poor health. 15 A sound, healthy body and a cheerful attitude[a] are more valuable than gold and jewels. 16 Nothing can make you richer or give you greater happiness than those two things. 17 It would be better to be dead, asleep forever, than to live in the misery of chronic illness. 18 The finest food means nothing if you are too sick to eat it; it might as well be offered to an idol.[b] 19 But there is no point in offering food to an idol; it can't eat it or smell it. It is just the same with someone whom the Lord has afflicted. 20 He looks at his food and sighs, like a castrated man hugging a young woman.
Cheerfulness and Sadness
21 (A)Don't deliberately torture yourself by giving in to depression. 22 Happiness makes for a long life and makes it worth living. 23 Enjoy yourself and be happy; don't worry all the time. Worry never did anybody any good, and it has destroyed many people. 24 It will make you old before your time. Jealousy and anger will shorten your life. 25 A cheerful person with a good attitude will have a good appetite and enjoy his food.
Read full chapterNotas al pie
- Sirach 30:15 Hebrew a cheerful attitude; Greek a strong body.
- Sirach 30:18 Hebrew offered to an idol; Greek placed on a grave.
Sirach 30:14-25
New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition
14 Better off poor, healthy, and fit
than rich and afflicted in body.(A)
15 Health and fitness are better than any gold
and a robust body[a] than countless riches.
16 There is no wealth better than health of body
and no gladness above joy of heart.
17 Death is better than a life of misery
and eternal sleep[b] than chronic sickness.(B)
Concerning Foods[c]
18 Good things poured out upon a mouth that is closed
are like offerings of food placed upon a grave.(C)
19 Of what use to an idol is a sacrifice?
For it can neither eat nor smell.
So is the one punished by the Lord;(D)
20 he sees with his eyes and groans
as a eunuch groans when embracing a young woman.[d](E)
21 Do not give yourself over to sorrow,
and do not distress yourself deliberately.(F)
22 A joyful heart is life itself,
and rejoicing lengthens one’s life span.(G)
23 Indulge yourself[e] and take comfort,
and remove sorrow far from you,
for sorrow has destroyed many,
and no advantage ever comes from it.(H)
24 Jealousy and anger shorten life,
and anxiety brings on premature old age.(I)
25 Those who are cheerful and merry at table
will benefit from their food.(J)
Notas al pie
- 30.15 Gk: Syr Heb read spirit
- 30.17 Other ancient authorities lack eternal sleep
- 30.18 This heading is included in the Gk text; other ancient authorities place the heading before 30.16
- 30.20 Other ancient authorities add So is the person who does right under compulsion
- 30.23 Other ancient authorities read Beguile yourself
Sirach 30:14-25
New Revised Standard Version, Anglicised Catholic Edition
14 Better off poor, healthy, and fit
than rich and afflicted in body.
15 Health and fitness are better than any gold,
and a robust body than countless riches.
16 There is no wealth better than health of body,
and no gladness above joy of heart.
17 Death is better than a life of misery,
and eternal sleep[a] than chronic sickness.
Concerning Foods[b]
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 a sacrifice?
For it can neither eat nor smell.
So is one punished by the Lord;
20 he sees with his eyes and groans
as a eunuch groans when embracing a girl.[c]
21 Do not give yourself over to sorrow,
and do not distress yourself deliberately.
22 A joyful heart is life itself,
and rejoicing lengthens one’s life span.
23 Indulge yourself[d] and take comfort,
and remove sorrow far from you,
for sorrow has destroyed many,
and no advantage ever comes from it.
24 Jealousy and anger shorten life,
and anxiety brings on premature old age.
25 Those who are cheerful and merry at table
will benefit from their food.
Notas al pie
- Sirach 30:17 Other ancient authorities lack eternal sleep
- Sirach 30:18 This heading is included in the Gk text; other ancient authorities place the heading before verse 16
- Sirach 30:20 Other ancient authorities add So is the person who does right under compulsion
- Sirach 30:23 Other ancient authorities read Beguile yourself
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New Revised Standard Version, Updated Edition. Copyright © 2021 National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicised Catholic Edition, copyright © 1989, 1993, 1995 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.