CPDV - Sirach - 30

30:1  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.

30:2  He who instructs his son will be praised over him and will glory in him, in the midst of his household.

30:3  He who teaches his son will make his enemy jealous, and in the midst of his friends, he will glory in him.

30:4  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.

30:5  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.

30:6  For he left behind himself a defender of his house against his enemies, and someone who will repay his friends with kindness.

30:7  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.

30:8  An untamed horse becomes stubborn, and a child left to himself becomes headstrong.

30:9  Coddle a son, and he will make you afraid. Play with him, and he will make you sorrowful.

30:10  You should not laugh with him; otherwise you may have grief, and in the end, your teeth will be clenched.

30:11  You should not give him power in his youth, but you should not despise his thoughts.

30:12  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.

30:13  Instruct your son, and work with him, lest you give offense by his shameful behavior.

30:14  Better is a healthy pauper with a strong constitution, than a wealthy man who is weak and afflicted by maladies.

30:15  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.

30:16  There is no revenue above the revenue of a healthy body. And there is no delight above a joyful heart.

30:17  Death is better than a bitter life. And eternal rest is better than continual sickness.

30:18  Good things hidden in a closed mouth are like seats at a feast placed around a grave.

30:19  What benefit is there in an offering to an idol? For it can neither eat, nor smell.

30:20  So is he who flees from the Lord, carrying the wages of his iniquity.

30:21  He sees with his eyes and groans, like a eunuch who embraces a virgin and sighs.

30:22  You should not give your soul to sadness, and you should not afflict yourself by your own counsel.

30:23  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.

30:24  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.

30:25  For sadness has killed many, and there is no usefulness in it.

30:26  Envy and anger will diminish your days, and pensiveness will bring old age before its time.

30:27  A cheerful and good heart is like a feast. And its feasts are formed by diligence.