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)
Footnotes
- 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
Ben Sira 30:14-25
New American Bible (Revised Edition)
Health and Cheerfulness[a]
14 Better the poor in vigorous health
than the rich with bodily ills.
15 I would rather have bodily health than any gold,
and contentment of spirit than pearls.
16 No riches are greater than a healthy body;
and no happiness than a joyful heart.
17 Better is death than a wretched life,(A)
everlasting sleep than constant illness.
18 Good things set before one who cannot eat
are like food offerings placed before a tomb.[b](B)
19 What good is an offering to an idol
that can neither eat nor smell?
So it is with the one being punished by the Lord,
20 who groans at what his eyes behold.
21 Do not give in to sadness,
or torment yourself deliberately.(C)
22 Gladness of heart is the very life of a person,
and cheerfulness prolongs his days.
23 Distract yourself and renew your courage,
drive resentment far away from you;
For grief has killed many,(D)
and nothing is to be gained from resentment.
24 Envy and anger shorten one’s days,
and anxiety brings on premature old age.
25 Those who are cheerful and merry at table
benefit from their food.[c](E)
Footnotes
- 30:14–25 Health of mind and body and joy of heart Ben Sira judges to be more precious than wealth (vv. 14–16), whereas bitterness, constant illness, and affliction are more difficult to bear than death (vv. 17–20). Sadness, resentment, anxiety, envy, and anger shorten days; they should be dispelled by cheerfulness and gladness of heart, which help to prolong one’s days (vv. 21–25).
- 30:18 The saying ridicules the practice of putting food and drink on the tombs of the dead.
- 30:25(27) Because of the dislocation of the Greek text, the numbering of this verse follows Ziegler’s edition. There are no verses 25–26.
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.
Footnotes
- 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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