Open English Translation SIR Chapter 30

30 He who loves his son will continue to lay stripes on him,

that he may have joy from him in the end.

2 He who chastises his son will have profit from him,

and will brag about him among his acquaintances.

3 He who teaches his son will provoke his enemy to jealousy.

Before friends, he’ll rejoice in him.

4 His father dies, and is as though he hadn’t died;

for he’s left one behind him like himself.

5 In his life, he saw his son and rejoiced.

When he died, it was without regret.

6 He left behind him an avenger against his enemies,

and one to repay kindness to his friends.

7 He who makes too much of his son will bind up his wounds.

His heart will be troubled at every cry.

8 An unbroken horse becomes stubborn.

An unrestrained son becomes headstrong.

9 Pamper your child, and he’ll make you afraid.

Play with him, and he’ll grieve you.

10 Don’t laugh with him, or you might end up grieving with him,

and end up grinding your teeth.

11 Give him no liberty in his youth,

and don’t ignore his follies.[fn]

12 Bow[fn] down his neck in his youth,

and beat him on the sides while he’s a child,

or he might become stubborn and disobey you,

and there be sorrow to your soul.[fn]

13 Chastise your son, and give him work,

or his shameless behaviour might offend you.

14 Better is a poor man who’s healthy and fit,

than a rich man who’s afflicted in his body.

15 Health and fitness are better than all gold,

and a strong body better than wealth without measure.

16 There’s no wealth better than health of body.

There’s no gladness above the joy of the heart.

17 Death is better than a bitter life,

and eternal rest than a continual sickness.

18 Good things poured out on a mouth that’s closed

are like food offerings laid on a grave.

19 What does an offering profit an idol?

Because it can’t eat or smell.

So is he who’s punished by the master,

20 seeing with his eyes and groaning,

like a eunuch embracing a virgin and groaning.

21 Don’t give your soul to sorrow.

Don’t afflict yourself deliberately.

22 Gladness of heart is a man’s life.

Cheerfulness of a man lengthens his days.

23 Love your own soul, and comfort your heart.

Remove sorrow far from you,

for sorrow has destroyed many,

and there’s no profit in it.

24 Envy and anger shorten life.

Anxiety brings old age before its time.

25 Those who are cheerful and merry

will benefit from their food.