The In-Dept Study of the Bible
Son of Sirach 30
1 He who loves his son will continue to lay
stripes upon him, that he may have joy
from him in the end.
2 He who chastises his son will have profit
from him, and will brag about him among his
acquaintances.
3 He who teaches his son will provoke his
enemy to jealousy. Before friends, he will
rejoice in him.
4 His father dies, and is as though he had
not died; for he has left one
behind him like himself.
5 In his life, he saw his son and rejoiced.
When he died, it was without regret.
6 He left behind him an avenger against his
enemies, and one to repay kindness to his
friends.
7 He who makes too much of his son will
bind up his wounds. His heart will be
troubled at every cry.
8 An unbroken horse becomes stubborn.
An unrestrained son becomes headstrong.
9 Pamper your child, and he will make you
afraid. Play with him, and he will grieve you.
10 Don’t laugh with him, lest you have
sorrow with him, and you gnash your
teeth in the end.
11 Give him no liberty in his youth,
and don’t ignore his follies.†
12 ‡Bow down his neck in his youth,
and beat him on the sides while he is a
child, lest he become stubborn, and be
disobedient to you, and there be sorrow to your soul.§
13 Chastise your son, and give him work,
lest his shameless behavior be an offense to you.
14 Better is a poor man who is healthy and
fit, than a rich man who is afflicted in his
body.
15 Health and fitness are better than all
gold, and a strong body better than wealth
without measure.
16 There is no wealth better than health of
body. There is no gladness above the joy of
the heart.
17 Death is better than a bitter life,
and eternal rest than a continual sickness.
18 Good things poured out upon a mouth
that is closed are like food offerings
laid upon a grave.
19 What does an offering profit an idol?
For it can’t eat or smell. So is he who
is punished by the Lord,
20 seeing with his eyes and groaning,
like a eunuch embracing a virgin and
groaning.
21 Don’t give your soul to sorrow.
Don’t afflict yourself deliberately.
22 Gladness of heart is the life of a man.
Cheerfulness of a man lengthens his days.
23 Love your own soul, and comfort your
heart. Remove sorrow far from you,
for sorrow has destroyed many,
and there is no profit in it.
24 Envy and wrath shorten life.
Anxiety brings old age before its time.
25 Those who are cheerful and merry
will benefit from their food.