> [[sirach-29|← Previous]] | [[sirach-00|TOC]] | [[sirach-31|Next →]] --- # Sirach, Chapter 30 ## Chapter 30 ### The Training of Children 1 Whoever loves a son will chastise him often, ^sirach-30-1 that he may be his joy when he grows up. 2 Whoever disciplines a son will benefit from him, ^sirach-30-2 and boast of him among acquaintances. 3 Whoever educates a son will make his enemy jealous, ^sirach-30-3 and rejoice in him among his friends. 4 At the father’s death, he will seem not dead, ^sirach-30-4 for he leaves after him one like himself, 5 Whom he looked upon through life with joy, ^sirach-30-5 and in death, without regret. 6 Against his enemies he has left an avenger, ^sirach-30-6 and one to repay his friends with kindness. 7 Whoever spoils a son will have wounds to bandage, ^sirach-30-7 and will suffer heartache at every cry. 8 An untamed horse turns out stubborn; ^sirach-30-8 and a son left to himself grows up unruly. 9 Pamper a child and he will be a terror for you, ^sirach-30-9 indulge him, and he will bring you grief. and in the end you will gnash your teeth. 11 Do not give him his own way in his youth, ^sirach-30-11 and do not ignore his follies. 12 Bow down his head in his youth, ^sirach-30-12 beat his sides while he is still young, Lest he become stubborn and disobey you, and leave you disconsolate. 13 Discipline your son and make heavy his yoke, ^sirach-30-13 lest you be offended by his shamelessness. ### Health and Cheerfulness 14 Better the poor in vigorous health ^sirach-30-14 than the rich with bodily ills. 15 I would rather have bodily health than any gold, ^sirach-30-15 and contentment of spirit than pearls. 16 No riches are greater than a healthy body; ^sirach-30-16 and no happiness than a joyful heart. 17 Better is death than a wretched life, ^sirach-30-17 everlasting sleep than constant illness. 18 Good things set before one who cannot eat ^sirach-30-18 are like food offerings placed before a tomb. 19 What good is an offering to an idol ^sirach-30-19 that can neither eat nor smell? So it is with the one being punished by the Lord, 20 who groans at what his eyes behold. ^sirach-30-20 21 Do not give in to sadness, ^sirach-30-21 or torment yourself deliberately. 22 Gladness of heart is the very life of a person, ^sirach-30-22 and cheerfulness prolongs his days. 23 Distract yourself and renew your courage, ^sirach-30-23 drive resentment far away from you; For grief has killed many, and nothing is to be gained from resentment. 24 Envy and anger shorten one’s days, ^sirach-30-24 and anxiety brings on premature old age. 25 Those who are cheerful and merry at table ^sirach-30-25 benefit from their food. \* (30:1] – [13) Sound discipline (which would include physical beating) and careful education of children correct self-indulgence and stubbornness, prevent remorse and humiliation, and bring to parents lasting joy and delight, prestige among friends, jealousy of enemies, perpetuation and vindication of themselves through their offspring (vv. [1] – [6]). Lack of discipline and overindulgence of children bring sorrow and disappointment, terror and grief (vv. [7] – [13]). \* (30:14] – [25) Health of mind and body and joy of heart Ben Sira judges to be more precious than wealth (vv. [14] – [16]), whereas bitterness, constant illness, and affliction are more difficult to bear than death (vv. [17] – [20]). Sadness, resentment, anxiety, envy, and anger shorten days; they should be dispelled by cheerfulness and gladness of heart, which help to prolong one’s days (vv. [21] – [25]). \* (30:18) The saying ridicules the practice of putting food and drink on the tombs of the dead. \* (30:25] ([27])\] Because of the dislocation of the Greek text, the numbering of this verse follows Ziegler’s edition. There are no verses 25–26. a. (30:1) [Prv 13:24]; [19:18]; [22:15]; [23:13]; [29:15]; [Heb 12:7]. b. (30:12) [Sir 7:23]; [Prv 23:14]. c. (30:17) [Sir 41:2]. d. (30:18) [Tb 4:17]. e. (30:21) [Prv 12:25]; [15:13]; [17:22]. f. (30:23) [Sir 38:18] – [19]. g. (30:25) [Prv 15:15]. --- _New American Bible, revised edition_ (2010, 1991, 1986, 1970) Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Washington, D.C. > [[sirach-29|← Previous]] | [[sirach-00|TOC]] | [[sirach-31|Next →]]