Ben Sira 30:18-24

18 The finest food means nothing if you are too sick to eat it; it might as well be offered to an idol.

19 But there is no point in offering food to an idol; it can't eat it or smell it. It is just the same with someone whom the Lord has afflicted.

20 He looks at his food and sighs, like a castrated man hugging a young woman.

21 Don't deliberately torture yourself by giving in to depression. ¹

22 Happiness makes for a long life and makes it worth living.

23 Enjoy yourself and be happy; don't worry all the time. Worry never did anybody any good, and it has destroyed many people.

24 It will make you old before your time. Jealousy and anger will shorten your life.

Cross References

• 1. 30.21-25Ecclesiastes 11.9, 10.

Footnotes

• [a]. [Hebrew] offered to an idol; [Greek] placed on a grave.