The Book of Sirach (or Ecclesiasticus)
Chapter 30
1 – He that loveth his son, frequently chastiseth him, that he may rejoice in his latter end, and not grope after the doors of his neighbours.
2 – He that instructeth his son shall be praised in him, and shall glory in him in the midst of them of his household.
3 – He that teacheth his son, maketh his enemy jealous, and in the midst of his friends he shall glory in him.
4 – His father is dead, and he is as if he were not dead: for he hath left one behind him that is like himself.
5 – While he lived he saw and rejoiced in him: and when he died he was not sorrowful, neither was he confounded before his enemies.
6 – For he left behind him a defender of his house against his enemies, and one that will requite kindness to his friends.
7 – For the souls of his sons he shall bind up his wounds, and at every cry his bowels shall be troubled.
8 – 8A horse not broken becometh stubborn, and a child left to himself will become headstrong.
9 – Give thy son his way, and he shall make thee afraid: play with him, and he shall make thee sorrowful.
10 – Laugh not with him, lest thou have sorrow, and at the last thy teeth be set on edge.
11 – Give him not liberty in his youth, and wink not at his devices.
12 – Bow down his neck while he is young, and beat his sides while he is a child, lest he grow stubborn, and regard thee not, and so be a sorrow of heart to thee.
13 – Instruct thy son, and labour about him, lest his lewd behaviour be an offence to thee.
14 – Better is a poor man who is sound, and strong of constitution, than a rich man who is weak and afflicted with evils.
15 – Health of the soul in holiness of justice, is better then all gold and silver: and a sound body, than immense revenues.
16 – There is no riches above the riches of the health of the body: and there is no pleasure above the joy of the heart.
17 – Better is death than a bitter life: and everlasting rest, than continual sickness.
18 – Good things that are hidden in a mouth that is shut, are as masses of meat set about a grave.
19 – What good shall an offering do to an idol? for it can neither eat, nor smell:
20 – So is he that is persecuted by the Lord, bearing the reward of his iniquity:
21 – He seeth with his eyes, and groaneth, as an eunuch embracing a virgin, and sighing.
22 – Give not up thy soul to sadness, and afflict not thyself in thy own counsel.
23 – The joyfulness of the heart, is the life of a man, and a never failing treasure of holiness: and the joy of a man is length of life.
24 – Have pity on thy own soul, pleasing God, and contain thyself: gather up thy heart in his holiness: and drive away sadness far from thee.
25 – For sadness hath killed many, and there is no profit in it.
26 – Envy and anger shorten a man’s days, and pensiveness will bring old age before the time.
27 – A Cheerful and good heart is always feasting: for his banquets are prepared with diligence.
The Catholic Bible Online. Scriptures are from The Douay Rheims Catholic Bible 1582-1610 a.d. Version In the Public Domain. The Douay Rheims Bible is a translation of the Bible from the Latin Vulgate into English undertaken by members of the English College, Douai in the service of the Catholic Church.