Ben Sira 30:12-22

12 Bow down his neck while he is young, and beat him on the sides while he is a child, lest he wax stubborn and be disobedient unto thee, and so bring sorrow to thine heart.
13 Chastise thy son, and hold him to labor, lest his lewd behavior be an offense unto thee.
14 Better is the poor, being sound and strong of constitution, than a rich man that is afflicted in his body.
15 Health and good state of body are above all gold, and a strong body above infinite wealth.
16 There are no riches above a sound body, and no joy above the joy of the heart.
17 Death is better than a bitter life or continual sickness.
18 Delicacies poured upon a mouth shut up are as messes of meat set upon a grave.
19 What good doeth the offering unto an idol? For neither can it eat nor smell; so is he that is persecuted by the Lord.
20 He seeth with his eyes and groaneth, as a eunuch that embraceth a virgin and sigheth.
21 Give not over thy mind to heaviness, and afflict not thyself in thine own counsel.
22 gladness of the heart is the life of man, and the joyfulness of a man prolongeth his days.
Third Millennium Bible (TMB), New Authorized Version, Copyright 1998 by Deuel Enterprises, Inc., Gary, SD 57237. All rights reserved.