Chapter 30

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. 2. – Whoever teaches his son will find help from him and among his acquaintances will take pride in him. 3. – Whoever instructs his son will stir up envy in an enemy, but before friends will rejoice in him. 4. – When his father dies – he does not seem to die, because he leaves behind one like himself; 5. – during his life he looked upon him and took comfort, and at his death he did not sorrow; 6. – he left an avenger to his enemies and to his friends a rewarder. 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. 9. – Pamper a child, and he will frighten you; play with him, and he will grieve you. 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. 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. 13. – Train your son and labor over him, so that you will not have grief from improper conduct on his part. 14. – Better is a poor man healthy and strong in body than a rich man afflicted with weakness; 15. – health and bodily vigor are more precious than any gold, and a sound body is better than endless wealth; 16. – there is no wealth better than bodily health, and no joy greater than joy of the heart; 17. – better is death than a life full of sorrow or a disease that lasts continually. 18. – Delicacies offered to closed lips are like food set upon a tomb. 19. – What profit is an idol from an offering? It cannot eat or smell: 20. – so he who is pursued by the Lord, 21. – looking with eyes and sighing, is like a eunuch who embraces a young woman and sighs. 22. – Do not give your soul over to sorrow and do not torment yourself with anxious thoughts; 23. – gladness of heart is the life of man, and joy of a man is his long life; 24. – love your soul and comfort your heart, and keep sorrow far from yourself, 25. – for sorrow has killed many, and there is no profit in it. 26. – Jealousy and anger shorten life, and anxiety brings old age before its time. 27. – An open and good heart cares for its food.