The Book of Jesus Sirach

⭑ Douay-Rheims :: World English Bible Catholic ⭑

- Chapter 3 -

Lessons concerning the honour of parents, and humility, and avoiding curiosity.

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 hath made the father honourable to the children: and seeking the judgment of the mothers, hath confirmed it upon the children.

He that loveth 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 honoureth his mother is as one that layeth up a treasure.

He that honoureth his father shall have joy in his own children, and in the day of his prayer he shall be heard.

He that honoureth his father shall enjoy a long life: and he that obeyeth the father, shall be a comfort to his mother.

He that feareth the Lord, honoureth his parents, and will serve them as his masters that brought him into the world.

Honour thy father, in work and word, and all patience,

That a blessing may come upon thee from him, and his blessing may remain in the latter end.

The father’s blessing establisheth the houses of the children: but the mother’s curse rooteth up the foundation.

Glory not in the dishonour of thy father: for his shame is no glory to thee.

For the glory of a man is from the honour of his father, and a father without honour is the disgrace of the son.

Son, support the old age of thy father, and grieve him not in his life;

And if his understanding fail, have patience with him, and despise him not when thou art in thy strength: for the relieving of the father shall not be forgotten.

For good shall be repaid to thee for the sin of thy mother.

And in justice thou shalt be built up, and in the day of affliction thou shalt be remembered: and thy sins shall melt away as the ice in the fair warm weather.

Of what an evil fame is he that forsaketh his father: and he is cursed of God that angereth his mother.

My son, do thy works in meekness, and thou shalt be beloved above the glory of men.

The greater thou art, the more humble thyself in all things, and thou shalt find grace before God:

For great is the power of God alone, and he is honoured by the humble.

Seek not the things that are too high for thee, and search not into things above thy ability: but the things that God hath commanded thee, think on them always, and in many of his works be not curious.

For it is not necessary for thee to see with thy eyes those things that are hid.

In unnecessary matters be not over curious, and in many of his works thou shalt not be inquisitive.

For many things are shewn to thee above the understanding of men.

And the suspicion of them hath deceived many, and hath detained their minds in vanity.

A hard heart shall fear evil at the last: and he that loveth danger shall perish in it.

A heart that goeth 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 hath understanding, will abstain from sins, and in the works of justice shall have success.

Water quencheth a flaming fire, and alms resisteth sins:

And God provideth for him that sheweth favour: he remembereth him afterwards, and in the time of his fall he shall find a sure stay.

Lessons concerning the honour of parents, and humility, and avoiding curiosity.

Hear me, your father, O my children, and do what you hear, that you all may be safe.

For the Lord honors the father over the children, and has confirmed the judgment of the mother over her sons.

He who honors his father will make atonement for sins.

He who gives glory to his mother is as one who lays up treasure.

Whoever honors his father will have joy in his own children. He will be heard in the day of his prayer.

He who gives glory to his father will have length of days. He who listens to the Lord will bring rest to his mother,

(a) and will serve under his parents, as to masters.

Honor your father in deed and word, that a blessing may come upon you from him.

For the blessing of the father establishes the houses of children, but the curse of the mother roots out the foundations.

Don’t glorify yourself in the dishonor of your father, for your father’s dishonor is no glory to you.

For the glory of a man is from the honor of his father, and a mother in dishonor is a reproach to her children.

My son, help your father in his old age, and don’t grieve him as long as he lives.

If he fails in understanding, have patience with him. Don’t dishonor him in your full strength.

For the kindness to your father will not be forgotten. Instead of sins it will be added to build you up.

In the day of your affliction it will be remembered for you, as fair weather upon ice, so your sins will also melt away.

He who forsakes his father is as a blasphemer. He who provokes his mother is cursed by the Lord.

My son, go on with your business in humility; so you will be loved by an acceptable man.

The greater you are, humble yourself the more, and you will find favor before the Lord.

(b)

For the power of the Lord is great, and he is glorified by those who are lowly.

Don’t seek things that are too hard for you, and don’t search out things that are above your strength.

Think about the things that have been commanded you, for you have no need of the things that are secret.

Don’t be overly busy in tasks that are beyond you, for more things are shown to you than men can understand.

For the conceit of many has led them astray. Evil opinion has caused their judgment to slip.

(c)There is no light without eyes. There is no wisdom without knowledge.

A stubborn heart will do badly at the end. He who loves danger will perish in it.

A stubborn heart will be burdened with troubles. The sinner will heap sin upon sins.

The calamity of the proud has no healing, for a weed of wickedness has taken root in him.

The heart of the prudent will understand a proverb. A wise man desires the ear of a listener.

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

He who repays good turns is mindful of that which comes afterward. In the time of his falling he will find a support.

Footnotes

(a)3:7 Some manuscripts add those who fear the Lord honor their father,

(b)3:19 Some manuscripts add Many are lofty and renowned, but he reveals his secrets to the humble.