Ecclesiasticus 30

¹He that loveth his son, doth accustom him to stripes, that he may rejoice in his later end, and not grope after the doors of his neighbours.

²He that teacheth his son, shall be praised in him, & in the midst of them of his household he shall glory in him.

³He that teacheth his son, doth cast the enemy into emulation, and in the midst of his friends he shall glory in him.

⁴His father is dead, & he is as it were not dead: for he hath left behind him the like to himself.

⁵In his life he saw and rejoiced in him: in his death he was not made sorry, neither was he confounded before the enemies.

⁶For he left a defender of his house against the enemies, & one that should render thank to his friends.

⁷For the souls of his sons he will bind up his wounds, & at every voice his bowels shall be troubled.

⁸An untamed horse becometh stubborn, and a dissolute child will become heady.

⁹Pamper thy son, and he will make thee afraid: play with him, and he will make thee sorrowful.

¹⁰Laugh not with him, lest thou be sorry, and at the last thy teeth shall be on edge.

¹¹Give him not power in his youth, and contemn not his cogitations.

¹²Curb his neck in youth, and knock his sides whilst he is a child, lest perhaps he be hardened, and believe thee not, and he shall be sorrow of mind to thee.

¹³Teach thy son, and work in him, that thou offend not in his dishonesty.

¹⁴Better is a poor man whole and strong of force, than a rich man weak and scourged with misery.

¹⁵The health of the soul in holiness of justice, is better than all gold and silver: and a sound body, than infinite revenues.

¹⁶There is no riches above the riches of the health of the body: and there is no delight above the joy of the heart.

¹⁷Better is death than a bitter life: and everlasting rest, than continual sickness.

¹⁸Good things hid in a mouth that is shut, are as messes of meats set about a grave.

¹⁹What shall sacrifice profit an idol? For neither shall he eat, nor smell:

²⁰so he that is chased away of our Lord, beareth the rewards of iniquity:

²¹seeing with his eyes, & groaning, as an eunuch embracing a virgin and sighing.

²²Give not heaviness to thy soul, & afflict not thyself in thy counsel.

²³Joyfulness of the heart, this is the life of a man, and a treasure without defect of holiness: and the joy of a man is long life.

²⁴Have mercy on thine own soul, pleasing God, and refrain: and comfort thy heart in his holiness: and expel sorrow far from thee.

²⁵For sorrow hath killed many, and there is no profit in it.

²⁶Envy and anger diminish the days, and thought will bring old age before the time.

²⁷A magnifical heart is good in banquets: for his banquets are made diligently.