Sirach - Chapter 3

Passage

The sons of wisdom are the church of the just: and their generation, obedience and love. Children, hear the judgment of your father, and so do that you may be saved. For God has made the father honorable to the children: and seeking the judgment of the mothers, has confirmed it upon the children. He that loves God, shall obtain pardon for his sins by prayer, and shall refrain himself from them, and shall be heard in the prayer of days. And he that honors his mother is as one that lays up a treasure. He that honors his father shall have joy in his own children, and in the day of his prayer he shall be heard. He that honors his father shall enjoy a long life: and he that obeys the father, shall be a comfort to his mother. He that fears the Lord, honors his parents, and will serve them as his masters that brought him into the world. Honor your father, in work and word, and all patience, That a blessing may come upon you from him, and his blessing may remain in the latter end. The father's blessing establishes the houses of the children: but the mother's curse roots up the foundation. Glory not in the dishonor of your father: for his shame is no glory to you. For the glory of a man is from the honor of his father, and a father without honor is the disgrace of the son. Son, support the old age of your father, and grieve him not in his life; And if his understanding fail, have patience with him, and despise him not when you are in your strength: for the relieving of the father shall not be forgotten. For good shall be repaid to you for the sin of your mother. And in justice you shall be built up, and in the day of affliction you shall be remembered: and your sins shall melt away as the ice in the fair warm weather. Of what an evil fame is he that forsakes his father: and he is cursed of God that angers his mother. My son, do your works in meekness, and you shall be beloved above the glory of men. The greater you are, the more humble yourself in all things, and you shall find grace before God: For great is the power of God alone, and he is honored by the humble. Seek not the things that are too high for you, and search not into things above your ability: but the things that God has commanded you, think on them always, and in many of his works be not curious. For it is not necessary for you to see with your eyes those things that are hid. In unnecessary matters be not over curious, and in many of his works you shall not be inquisitive. For many things are shown to you above the understanding of men. And the suspicion of them has deceived many, and has detained their minds in vanity. A hard heart shall fear evil at the last: and he that loves danger shall perish in it. A heart that goes two ways shall not have success, and the perverse of heart shall be scandalized therein. A wicked heart shall be laden with sorrows, and the sinner will add sin to sin. The congregation of the proud shall not be healed: for the plant of wickedness shall take root in them, and it shall not be perceived. The heart of the wise is understood in wisdom, and a good ear will hear wisdom with all desire. A wise heart, and which has understanding, will abstain from sins, and in the works of justice shall have success. Water quenches a flaming fire, and alms resists sins: And God provides for him that shows favor: he remembers him afterwards, and in the time of his fall he shall find a sure stay.