“Do not give yourself over
To sorrow!
Do not distress yourself deliberately!
A joyful heart is life itself.
Rejoicing lengthens
One’s life span.
Indulger yourself!
Take comfort!
Remove sorrow far from you!
Sorrow has destroyed many.
No advantage ever comes from it.
Jealousy shortens life.
Anger shortens life.
Anxiety brings on premature old age.
Whoever is cheerful at table,
Whoever is merry at table,
Will benefit from their food.”
Sirach reminds us not to give into sorrow. Do not deliberately distress yourself. If you are happy, you will lengthen your lifespan. Indulge yourself and take comfort in what you do. Stay away from sorrow, because it has destroyed many people, since there is no advantage to being sorrowful. Jealousy and anger will shorten your life. Anxiety brings on old age prematurely. Look at all the happy old people. If you are cheerful and merry when you eat, the food will seem that much better.
Eugene Finnegan Bible Project 