Sample Sirach « 30 »

30He that loves his son will continue to lay stripes upon him,

That he may have joy of him in the end.

2He that chastises his son shall have profit of him,

And shall glory of him among his acquaintance.

3He that teaches his son shall provoke his enemy to jealousy;

And before friends he shall rejoice of him.

4His father dies, and is as though he had not died;

For he has left one behind him like himself.

5In his life, he saw and rejoiced in him;

And when he died, he sorrowed not:

6He left behind him an avenger against his enemies,

And one to requite kindness to his friends.

7He that makes too much of his son shall bind up his wounds;

And his heart will be troubled at every cry.

8An unbroken horse becomes stubborn;

And a son left at large becomes headstrong.

9Cocker your child, and he shall make you afraid:

Play with him, and he will grieve you.

10Laugh not with him, lest you have sorrow with him;

And you shall gnash your teeth in the end.

11Give him no liberty in his youth,

1 And wink not at his follies.

122 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 to you;

3 And there shall be sorrow to your soul.

13Chastise your son, and take pains with him,

Lest his shameless behavior be an offence to you.


14Better is a poor man, being sound and strong of constitution,

Than a rich man that is plagued in his body.

15Health and a good constitution are better than all gold;

And a strong body than wealth without measure.

16There is no riches better than health of body;

And there is no gladness above the joy of the heart.

17Death is better than a bitter life,

4 And 5 eternal rest than a continual sickness.

18Good things poured out upon a mouth that is closed

Are as messes of meat laid upon a grave.

19What does an offering profit an idol?

For neither shall it eat nor smell:

So is he that is afflicted of the Lord,

20Seeing with his eyes and groaning,

As an eunuch embracing a virgin and groaning.


21Give not over your soul to sorrow;

And afflict not yourself in your own counsel.

22Gladness of heart is the life of a man;

And the joyfulness of a man is length of days.

23Love your own soul, and comfort your heart:

And remove sorrow far from you;

For sorrow has destroyed many,

And there is no profit therein.

24Envy and wrath shorten a man’s days;

And care brings old age before the time.

25A cheerful and good heart

Will have a care of his meat and diet.

1 30:11 These three lines are absent from the oldest MSS.

2 30:12 These three lines are absent from the oldest MSS.

3 30:12 These three lines are absent from the oldest MSS.

4 30:17 The oldest MSS. omit And eternal rest.

5 30:17 Gr. age-long rest.