RV-CE

SIRACH 3

1Hear me your father, O my children,

And do thereafter, that ye may be saved.

2For the Lord hath given the father glory as touching the children,

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

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

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

5Whoso honoureth his father shall have joy of his children;

And in the day of his prayer he shall be heard.

6He 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.

8In deed and word honour thy father,

That a blessing may come upon thee from him.

9For the blessing of the father establisheth the houses of children;

But the curse of the mother rooteth out the foundations.

10Glorify not thyself 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 her children.

12My son, help thy father in his old age;

And grieve him not as long as he liveth.

13And if he fail in understanding, have patience with him;

And dishonour him not while 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 remember thee;

As fair weather upon ice,

So shall thy sins also melt away.

16He that forsaketh his father is as a blasphemer;

And he that provoketh his mother is cursed of the Lord.

17My son, go on with thy business in meekness;

So shalt thou be beloved of an acceptable man.

18The greater thou art, humble thyself the more,

And thou shalt find favour before the Lord. 19

20For great is the potency of the Lord,

And he is glorified of them that are lowly.

21Seek not things that are too hard for thee,

And search not out things that are above thy strength.

22The things that have been commanded thee, think thereupon;

For thou hast no need of the things that are secret.

23Be not over busy in thy superfluous works:

For more things are shewed unto thee than men can understand.

24For the conceit of many hath led them astray;

And evil surmising hath caused their judgement to slip. 25

26A stubborn heart shall fare ill at the last;

And he that loveth danger shall perish therein.

27A stubborn heart shall be laden with troubles;

And the sinner shall heap sin upon sin.

28The calamity of the proud is no healing;

For a plant of wickedness hath taken root in him.

29The heart of the prudent will understand a parable;

And the ear of a listener is the desire of a wise man.

30Water will quench a flaming fire;

And almsgiving will make atonement for sins.

31He that requiteth good turns is mindful of that which cometh afterward;

And in the time of his falling he shall find a support.