Chapter Thirty

Train your son and labor over him, so that you will not have grief from improper conduct on his part. Guard your health. Do not give yourself to despair.

Sirach 30:1. – Whoever loves his son will discipline him often, so that he may be glad in him afterward. Sirach 30:2. – Whoever teaches his son will find help from him and among his acquaintances will take pride in him. Sirach 30:3. – Whoever instructs his son will stir up envy in an enemy, but before friends will rejoice in him. Sirach 30:4. – When his father dies – he does not seem to die, because he leaves behind one like himself; Sirach 30:5. – during his life he looked upon him and took comfort, and at his death he did not sorrow; Sirach 30:6. – he left an avenger to his enemies and to his friends a rewarder. Sirach 30:7. – He who indulges his son will bind up his wounds, and at every cry of his will be troubled in heart. 7. Indulgence leading to permissiveness becomes harmful weakness.

Sirach 30:8. – An untamed horse becomes stubborn, and a son left to his own will becomes bold. Sirach 30:9. – Pamper a child, and he will frighten you; play with him, and he will grieve you. Sirach 30:10. – Do not laugh with him, so that you will not suffer with him, and in the end will not gnash your teeth. 9–10. Verses 11–13 explain these. Love for children should not pass into permissiveness toward their bad inclinations.

Sirach 30:11. – Do not give him freedom in youth and do not wink at his foolishness. Sirach 30:12. – Bend his neck in youth and bruise his ribs while he is young, so that when he becomes stubborn he may not disobey you. Sirach 30:13. – Train your son and labor over him, so that you will not have grief from improper conduct on his part. Sirach 30:14. – Better is a poor man healthy and strong in body than a rich man afflicted with weakness; Sirach 30:15. – health and bodily vigor are more precious than any gold, and a sound body is better than endless wealth; Sirach 30:16. – there is no wealth better than bodily health, and no joy greater than joy of the heart; Sirach 30:17. – better is death than a life full of sorrow or a disease that lasts continually. Sirach 30:18. – Delicacies offered to closed lips are like food set upon a tomb. Sirach 30:19. – What profit is an idol from an offering? It cannot eat or smell: Sirach 30:20. – so he who is pursued by the Lord, Sirach 30:21. – looking with eyes and sighing, is like a eunuch who embraces a young woman and sighs. Sirach 30:22. – Do not give your soul over to sorrow and do not torment yourself with anxious thoughts; Sirach 30:23. – gladness of heart is the life of man, and joy of a man is his long life; Sirach 30:24. – love your soul and comfort your heart, and keep sorrow far from yourself, Sirach 30:25. – for sorrow has killed many, and there is no profit in it. Sirach 30:26. – Jealousy and anger shorten life, and anxiety brings old age before its time. Sirach 30:27. – An open and good heart cares for its food.