Sirach 3

3Hearken, ye children, to the judgement of your father,

And do thereafter, that ye may be saved.

For the Lord hath given the father glory as touching the children,

And hath established the judgement of the mother as touching the sons.

He that honoureth his father maketh atonement for sins,

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

He that honoureth his father shall have joy of his children,

And what time he prayeth he shall be heard.

He that giveth glory to his father shall have length of days,

And he that giveth rest to his mother shall receive reward from God.

He that feareth the Lord honoureth his father,

And serveth his parents as masters.

My son, in word and in deed honour thy father,

That every blessing may overtake thee.

The blessing of a father establisheth ⁽his⁽ seed,

But the curse of a mother rooteth up the young plant.

Glorify not thyself in the dishonour of thy father,

For that is no glory to thee.

A man’s glory is the glory of his father,

And he that dishonoureth his mother multiplieth sin.

My son, help thy father in his old age,

And grieve him not all the days of his life;

And even if his understanding fail, be considerate with him,

And dishonour him not all the days of his life.

Benevolence to a father shall not be blotted out,

And as a substitute for sins it shall be firmly planted.

In the day of affliction it shall be remembered ‘to thy credit’,

It shall obliterate thine iniquities as heat ⁽disperseth⁽ hoar-frost.

As one that acteth presumptuously is he that despiseth his father,

And as one that provoketh his Creator is he that curseth his mother.

My son, when thou art in prosperity walk humbly,

And thou wilt be loved more than him that giveth gifts.

Humble thyself in all greatness,

And thou wilt find mercy in the sight of God.

For many are the mercies of God,

And to the humble He revealeth His secret.

Seek not ⁽to understand⁽ what is too wonderful for thee,

And search not out that which is hid from thee.

Meditate upon that which thou must grasp,

And be not occupied with that which is hid.

Have naught to do with that which is beyond thee,

For more hath been shown to thee than thou canst understand.

For many are the conceits of the sons of men,

And evil imaginations lead astray.

Where ⁽there is⁽ no apple of the eye, light is lacking,

And where ⁽there is⁽ no knowledge wisdom is wanting.

A stubborn heart shall fare ill at its latter end,

But he that loveth good things shall be led by them.

⁽As for⁽ the stubborn heart, its griefs shall be increased,

And the profane man heapeth iniquity upon iniquity.

⁽As for⁽ the wound of the scorner, there is no healing for it,

For an evil growth is his plant.

A wise heart understandeth the proverbs of the wise,

And the ear that listeneth to wisdom rejoiceth.

A flaming fire doth water quench,

So doth almsgiving atone for sin.

He that doeth good, it shall meet him on his ways,

And when he tottereth he shall find a stay.