Ben Sira 16:3

3 Do not trust in their survival, or rely on their numbers; for one can be better than a thousand, and to die childless is better than to have ungodly children.

Ben Sira 16:3 In-Context

1 Do not desire a multitude of worthless children, and do not rejoice in ungodly offspring.

2 If they multiply, do not rejoice in them, unless the fear of the Lord is in them.

3 Do not trust in their survival, or rely on their numbers; for one can be better than a thousand, and to die childless is better than to have ungodly children.

4 For through one intelligent person a city can be filled with people, but through a clan of outlaws it becomes desolate.

5 Many such things my eye has seen, and my ear has heard things more striking than these.

Footnotes

• [a] Other ancient authorities add [For you will groan in untimely mourning, and will know of their sudden end.]