Sirach 30 — ASVBT

30Verse 1He that loveth his son will continue to lay stripes upon him,
That he may have joy of him in the end.
^{Verse 2}He that chastiseth his son shall have profit of him,
And shall glory of him among his acquaintance.
^{Verse 3}He that teacheth his son shall provoke his enemy to jealousy;
And before friends he shall rejoice of him.
^{Verse 4}His father dieth, and is as though he had not died;
For he hath left one behind him like himself.
^{Verse 5}In his life, he saw and rejoiced in him;
And when he died, he sorrowed not:
^{Verse 6}He left behind him an avenger against his enemies,
And one to requite kindness to his friends.
^{Verse 7}He that maketh too much of his son shall bind up his wounds;
And his heart will be troubled at every cry.
^{Verse 8}An unbroken horse becometh stubborn;
And a son left at large becometh headstrong.
^{Verse 9}Cocker thy child, and he shall make thee afraid:
Play with him, and he will grieve thee.
^{Verse 10}Laugh not with him, lest thou have sorrow with him;
And thou shalt gnash thy teeth in the end.
^{Verse 11}Give him no liberty in his youth,
And wink not at his follies.
^{Verse 12}Bow down his neck in his youth,
And beat him on the sides while he is a child,
Lest he wax stubborn, and be disobedient unto thee;
And there shall be sorrow to thy soul.
^{Verse 13}Chastise thy son, and take pains with him,
Lest his shameless behavior be an offense unto thee.^{Verse 14}Better is a poor man, being sound and strong of constitution,
Than a rich man that is plagued in his body.
^{Verse 15}Health and a good constitution are better than all gold;
And a strong body than wealth without measure.
^{Verse 16}There is no riches better than health of body;
And there is no gladness above the joy of the heart.
^{Verse 17}Death is better than a bitter life,
And eternal rest than a continual sickness.
^{Verse 18}Good things poured out upon a mouth that is closed
Are as messes of meat laid upon a grave.
^{Verse 19}What doth an offering profit an idol?
For neither shall it eat nor smell:
So is he that is afflicted of the Lord,
^{Verse 20}Seeing with his eyes and groaning,
As a eunuch embracing a virgin and groaning.^{Verse 21}Give not over thy soul to sorrow;
And afflict not thyself in thine own counsel.
^{Verse 22}Gladness of heart is the life of a man;
And the joyfulness of a man is length of days.
^{Verse 23}Love thine own soul, and comfort thy heart:
And remove sorrow far from thee;
For sorrow hath destroyed many,
And there is no profit therein.
^{Verse 24}Envy and wrath shorten a man’s days;
And care bringeth old age before the time.
^{Verse 25}A cheerful and good heart
Will have a care of his meat and diet.