Bringing Up Children

1A father who loves his son will whip him often, so that he can be proud of him later. 2If a son is disciplined, he will be of some use, and his father can boast of him to his friends. 3Anyone who gives good guidance to his son can not only take pride in him among his friends, but he can make his enemies jealous. 4-5While the father is alive, the sight of his son makes him happy, and when he dies, he has no regrets. He is not really dead, because his son is like him. 6He has left someone to take vengeance on his enemies and to return the favours he owes his friends.

7But anyone who spoils his son will have to bandage his wounds.30.7 will have… wounds; or is going to be hurt. His heart will stop every time he hears a shout. 8An untamed horse is going to be stubborn, and an undisciplined son is no different. 9If you pamper your child and play with him, he will be a disappointment and a source of grief. 10Laugh with him now, and one day you will have to cry over him, grinding your teeth in regret. 11Don't give him freedom while he is young, and don't overlook what he does wrong. 12Beat him while he is still a child, and make him respect your authority. If you don't, he will be stubborn and disobedient and cause you nothing but sorrow. 13So discipline your son and give him work to do, or else he will be an embarrassment to you.

Health

14It is better to be poor, but strong and healthy, than to be rich, but in poor health. 15A sound, healthy body and a cheerful attitude30.15 Hebrew a cheerful attitude; Greek a strong body. are more valuable than gold and jewels. 16Nothing can make you richer or give you greater happiness than these two things. 17It would be better to be dead, asleep for ever, than to live in the misery of chronic illness. 18The finest food means nothing if you are too ill to eat it; it might as well be offered to an idol.30.18 Hebrew offered to an idol; Greek placed on a grave. 19But 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. 20He looks at his food and sighs, like a castrated man hugging a young woman.

Cheerfulness and Sadness

2130.21–25: Ecc 11.9–10Don't deliberately torture yourself by giving in to depression. 22Happiness makes for a long life and makes it worth living. 23Enjoy yourself and be happy; don't worry all the time. Worry never did anybody any good, and it has destroyed many people. 24It will make you old before your time. Jealousy and anger will shorten your life. 25A cheerful person with a good attitude will have a good appetite and enjoy his food.