Sirach 3

¹The sons of wisdom are the church of the just: and their generation, obedience and love.

²Children, hear the judgment of your father, and so do that you may be saved.

³For God hath made the father honourable to the children: and seeking the judgment of the mothers, hath confirmed it upon the children.

⁴He that loveth God, shall obtain pardon for his sins by prayer, and shall refrain himself from them, and shall be heard in the prayer of days.

⁵And he that honoureth his mother is as one that layeth up a treasure.

⁶He that honoureth his father shall have joy in his own children, and in the day of his prayer he shall be heard.

⁷He that honoureth his father shall enjoy a long life: and he that obeyeth the father, shall be a comfort to his mother.

⁸He that feareth the Lord, honoureth his parents, and will serve them as his masters that brought him into the world.

⁹Honour thy father, in work and word, and all patience,

¹⁰That a blessing may come upon thee from him, and his blessing may remain in the latter end.

¹¹The father's blessing establisheth the houses of the children: but the mother's curse rooteth up the foundation.

¹²Glory not in the dishonour of thy father: for his shame is no glory to thee.

¹³For the glory of a man is from the honour of his father, and a father without honour is the disgrace of the son.

¹⁴Son, support the old age of thy father, and grieve him not in his life;

¹⁵And if his understanding fail, have patience with him, and despise him not when thou art in thy strength: for the relieving of the father shall not be forgotten.

¹⁶For good shall be repaid to thee for the sin of thy mother.

¹⁷And in justice thou shalt be built up, and in the day of affliction thou shalt be remembered: and thy sins shall melt away as the ice in the fair warm weather.

¹⁸Of what an evil fame is he that forsaketh his father: and he is cursed of God that angereth his mother.

¹⁹My son, do thy works in meekness, and thou shalt be beloved above the glory of men.

²⁰The greater thou art, the more humble thyself in all things, and thou shalt find grace before God:

²¹For great is the power of God alone, and he is honoured by the humble.

²²Seek not the things that are too high for thee, and search not into things above thy ability: but the things that God hath commanded thee, think on them always, and in many of his works be not curious.

²³For it is not necessary for thee to see with thy eyes those things that are hid.

²⁴In unnecessary matters be not over curious, and in many of his works thou shalt not be inquisitive.

²⁵For many things are shewn to thee above the understanding of men.

²⁶And the suspicion of them hath deceived many, and hath detained their minds in vanity.

²⁷A hard heart shall fear evil at the last: and he that loveth danger shall perish in it.

²⁸A heart that goeth two ways shall not have success, and the perverse of heart shall be scandalized therein.

²⁹A wicked heart shall be laden with sorrows, and the sinner will add sin to sin.

³⁰The congregation of the proud shall not be healed: for the plant of wickedness shall take root in them, and it shall not be perceived.

³¹The heart of the wise is understood in wisdom, and a good ear will hear wisdom with all desire.

³²A wise heart, and which hath understanding, will abstain from sins, and in the works of justice shall have success.

³³Water quencheth a flaming fire, and alms resisteth sins:

³⁴And God provideth for him that sheweth favour: he remembereth him afterwards, and in the time of his fall he shall find a sure stay.

Sirach 3

¹Hear me your father, O children, and do thereafter, that ye may be safe.

²For the Lord hath given the father honour over the children, and hath confirmed the authority of the mother over the sons.

³Whoso honoureth his father maketh an atonement for his sins:

⁴And he that honoureth his mother is as one that layeth up treasure.

⁵Whoso honoureth his father shall have joy of his own children; and when he maketh his prayer, he shall be heard.

⁶He that honoureth his father shall have a long life; and he that is obedient unto the Lord shall be a comfort to his mother.

⁷He that feareth the Lord will honour his father, and will do service unto his parents, as to his masters.

⁸Honour thy father and mother both in word and deed, that a blessing may come upon thee from them.

⁹For the blessing of the father establisheth the houses of children; but the curse of the mother rooteth out foundations.

¹⁰Glory not in the dishonour of thy father; for thy father’s dishonour is no glory unto thee.

¹¹For the glory of a man is from the honour of his father; and a mother in dishonour is a reproach to the children.

¹²My son, help thy father in his age, and grieve him not as long as he liveth.

¹³And if his understanding fail, have patience with him; and despise him not when thou art in thy full strength.

¹⁴For the relieving of thy father shall not be forgotten: and instead of sins it shall be added to build thee up.

¹⁵In the day of thine affliction it shall be remembered; thy sins also shall melt away, as the ice in the fair warm weather.

¹⁶He that forsaketh his father is as a blasphemer; and he that angereth his mother is cursed: of God.

¹⁷My son, go on with thy business in meekness; so shalt thou be beloved of him that is approved.

¹⁸The greater thou art, the more humble thyself, and thou shalt find favour before the Lord.

¹⁹Many are in high place, and of renown: but mysteries are revealed unto the meek.

²⁰For the power of the Lord is great, and he is honoured of the lowly.

²¹Seek not out things that are too hard for thee, neither search the things that are above thy strength.

²²But what is commanded thee, think thereupon with reverence, for it is not needful for thee to see with thine eyes the things that are in secret.

²³Be not curious in unnecessary matters: for more things are shewed unto thee than men understand.

²⁴For many are deceived by their own vain opinion; and an evil suspicion hath overthrown their judgment.

²⁵Without eyes thou shalt want light: profess not the knowledge therefore that thou hast not.

²⁶A stubborn heart shall fare evil at the last; and he that loveth danger shall perish therein.

²⁷An obstinate heart shall be laden with sorrows; and the wicked man shall heap sin upon sin.

²⁸In the punishment of the proud there is no remedy; for the plant of wickedness hath taken root in him.

²⁹The heart of the prudent will understand a parable; and an attentive ear is the desire of a wise man.

³⁰Water will quench a flaming fire; and alms maketh an atonement for sins.

³¹And he that requiteth good turns is mindful of that which may come hereafter; and when he falleth, he shall find a stay.