Ecclesiasticus, 30

1. Whoever loves his son will beat him frequently so that in after years the son may be his comfort.

1. He that shows mercy will lend to his neighbor, and he that strengthens him with his hand keeps the commandments.

2. Whoever is strict with his son will reap the benefit, and be able to boast of him to his acquaintances.

2. Lend to your neighbor in the time of his need; and in turn, repay your neighbor promptly.

3. Whoever educates his son will be the envy of his enemy, and will be proud of him among his friends.

3. Confirm your word and keep faith with him, and on every occasion you will find what you need.

4. Even when the father dies, he might well not be dead, since he leaves his likeness behind him.

4. Many persons regard a loan as a windfall, and cause trouble to those who help them.

5. In life he has had the joy of his company, dying, he has no anxieties.

5. A man will kiss another's hands until he gets a loan, and will lower his voice in speaking of his neighbor's money; but at the time for repayment he will delay, and will pay in words of unconcern, and will find fault with the time.

6. He leaves an avenger against his enemies and a rewarder of favours for his friends.

6. If the lender exert pressure, he will hardly get back half, and will regard that as a windfall. If he does not, the borrower has robbed him of his money, and he has needlessly made him his enemy; he will repay him with curses and reproaches, and instead of glory will repay him with dishonor.

7. Whoever coddles his son will bandage his wounds, his heart will turn over at every cry.

7. Because of such wickedness, therefore, many have refused to lend; they have been afraid of being defrauded needlessly.

8. A badly broken-in horse turns out stubborn, a son left to himself turns out headstrong.

8. Nevertheless, be patient with a man in humble circumstances, and do not make him wait for your alms.

9. Pamper your child and he will terrorise you, play along with him and he will bring you sorrow.

9. Help a poor man for the commandment's sake, and because of his need do not send him away empty.

10. Do not laugh with him, or one day you will weep with him and end up gnashing your teeth.

10. Lose your silver for the sake of a brother or a friend, and do not let it rust under a stone and be lost.

11. While he is young, do not allow him his freedom and do not wink at his mistakes.

11. Lay up your treasure according to the commandments of the Most High, and it will profit you more than gold.

12. Bend his neck in youth, bruise his ribs while he is a child, or else he will grow stubborn and disobedient, and hurt you very deeply.

12. Store up almsgiving in your treasury, and it will rescue you from all affliction;

13. Be strict with your son, and persevere with him, or you will rue his insolence.

13. more than a mighty shield and more than a heavy spear, it will fight on your behalf against your enemy.

14. Better be poor if healthy and fit than rich if tormented in body.

14. A good man will be surety for his neighbor, but a man who has lost his sense of shame will fail him.

15. Health and strength are better than any gold, a robust body than untold wealth.

15. Do not forget all the kindness of your surety, for he has given his life for you.

16. No riches can outweigh bodily health, no enjoyment surpass a cheerful heart.

16. A sinner will overthrow the prosperity of his surety,

17. Better death than a wretched life, and everlasting rest than chronic illness.

17. and one who does not feel grateful will abandon his rescuer.

18. Good things lavished on a closed mouth are like food offerings put on a grave.

18. Being surety has ruined many men who were prosperous, and has shaken them like a wave of the sea; it has driven men of power into exile, and they have wandered among foreign nations.

19. What use is an offering to an idol which can neither eat nor smell? How describe someone pursued by the Lord's displeasure?

19. The sinner who has fallen into suretyship and pursues gain will fall into lawsuits.

20. He looks and sighs like a eunuch embracing a pretty girl -- how he sighs!

20. Assist your neighbor according to your ability, but take heed to yourself lest you fall.

21. Do not abandon yourself to sorrow, do not torment yourself with brooding.

21. The essentials for life are water and bread and clothing and a house to cover one's nakedness.

22. Gladness of heart is life to anyone, joy is what gives length of days.

22. Better is the life of a poor man under the shelter of his roof than sumptuous food in another man's house.

23. Give your cares the slip, console your heart, chase sorrow far away; for sorrow has been the ruin of many, and is no use to anybody.

23. Be content with little or much.

24. Jealousy and anger shorten your days, and worry brings premature old age.

24. It is a miserable life to go from house to house, and where you are a stranger you may not open your mouth;

25. A genial heart makes a good trencherman, someone who enjoys a good meal.

25. you will play the host and provide drink without being thanked, and besides this you will hear bitter words:

26.

26. "Come here, stranger, prepare the table, and if you have anything at hand, let me have it to eat."

27.

27. "Give place, stranger, to an honored person; my brother has come to stay with me; I need my house."

28.

28. These things are hard to bear for a man who has feeling: scolding about lodging and the reproach of the moneylender.