Sirach

¹ Hear me your father, O my children, And do thereafter, that ye may be saved.

² For the Lord hath given the father glory as touching the children, And hath confirmed the judgement of the mother as touching the sons.

³ He that honoureth his father shall make atonement for sins:

⁴ And he that giveth glory to his mother is as one that layeth up treasure.

⁵ Whoso honoureth his father shall have joy of his children; And in the day of his prayer he shall be heard.

⁶ He that giveth glory to his father shall have length of days; And he that hearkeneth unto the Lord shall bring rest unto his mother,

⁷ And will do service under his parents, as unto masters.

⁸ In deed and word honour thy father, That a blessing may come upon thee from him.

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

¹⁰ Glorify not thyself in the dishonour of thy father; For thy father’s dishonour is no glory unto thee.

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

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

¹³ And if he fail in understanding, have patience with him; And dishonour him not while thou art in thy full strength.

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

¹⁵ In the day of thine affliction it shall remember thee; As fair weather upon ice, So shall thy sins also melt away.

¹⁶ He that forsaketh his father is as a blasphemer; And he that provoketh his mother is cursed of the Lord.

¹⁷ My son, go on with thy business in meekness; So shalt thou be beloved of an acceptable man.

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

²⁰ For great is the potency of the Lord, And he is glorified of them that are lowly.

²¹ Seek not things that are too hard for thee, And search not out things that are above thy strength.

²² The things that have been commanded thee, think thereupon; For thou hast no need of the things that are secret.

²³ Be not over busy in thy superfluous works: For more things are shewed unto thee than men can understand.

²⁴ For the conceit of many hath led them astray; And evil surmising hath caused their judgement to slip.

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

²⁷ A stubborn heart shall be laden with troubles; And the sinner shall heap sin upon sin.

²⁸ The calamity of the proud is no healing; For a plant of wickedness hath taken root in him.

²⁹ The heart of the prudent will understand a parable; And the ear of a listener is the desire of a wise man.

³⁰ Water will quench a flaming fire; And almsgiving will make atonement for sins.

³¹ He that requiteth good turns is mindful of that which cometh afterward; And in the time of his falling he shall find a support.