Sirach 3

1 Children, listen to me as your father and act accordingly, so that you may be rescued. 2 The Lord has given a father honor over his children and confirmed a mother’s authority over her sons. 3 Whoever honors his father makes atonement for sins. 4 Whoever glorifies his mother is like someone storing up treasure. 5 Whoever honors his father will find joy in his own children and will be heard on the day he prays.

6 Whoever glorifies his father will live a long life, and whoever listens to the Lord will give his mother rest. 7 He will serve the parents who gave him life as he would serve masters. 8 Honor your father in deed and word so that his blessing may come upon you. 9 A father’s blessing strengthens his children’s houses, but a mother’s curse uproots their foundations. 10 Do not seek glory in your father’s dishonor; your father’s dishonor brings you no glory.

11 A person’s glory comes from his father’s honor, and a mother held in dishonor is a disgrace to her children. 12 My child, support your father in his old age, and do not grieve him as long as he lives. 13 Even if his understanding fails, be patient with him. Do not dishonor him while you are in full strength. 14 An act of mercy toward your father will not be forgotten; it will rebuild you in place of sins. 15 It will be remembered in your day of distress, and your sins will melt away like frost in warm weather.

16 Whoever abandons his father is like a blasphemer, and whoever provokes his mother is cursed by the Lord. 17 My child, carry out your work with gentleness, and you will be loved by an acceptable person. 18 The greater you are, the more you must humble yourself, and you will find favor before the Lord. 19 Many are high and renowned, but secrets are revealed to the gentle. [a] 20 The Lord’s power is great, and he is glorified by the humble.

21 Do not seek what is too difficult for you or investigate what is beyond your strength. 22 Think about what has been commanded you; you have no need for hidden things. 23 Do not meddle in matters beyond your work, because more has already been shown you than human understanding can grasp. 24 Their own assumptions have led many astray, and an evil suspicion has made their minds slip. 25 Without eyes you will lack light, so do not claim knowledge you do not have. [b]

26 A stubborn heart will suffer in the end, and whoever loves danger will perish in it. 27 A stubborn heart will be weighed down with troubles, and the sinner will add sin to sins. 28 There is no healing for the proud person’s calamity, because a plant of wickedness has taken root in him. 29 An understanding heart will reflect on a proverb, and an attentive ear is what a wise person desires. 30 Water extinguishes a blazing fire, and acts of mercy make atonement for sins. †

31 Whoever repays favors remembers what comes afterward and will find support when he falls.