Ecclesiasticus, 3

[1] The sons of wisdom are the church of the just: and their generation, obedience and love. •

[2] Children, hear the judgment of your father, and so do that you may be saved. •

[3] For God hath made the father honourable to the children: and seeking the judgment of the mothers, hath confirmed it upon the children. •

[4] 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.

[5] And he that honoureth his mother is as one that layeth up a treasure.

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

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

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

[9] Honour thy father, in work and word, and all patience, •

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

[11] The father's blessing establisheth the houses of the children: but the mother's curse rooteth up the foundation. •

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

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

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

[15] 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. •

[16] For good shall be repaid to thee for the sin of thy mother. •

[17] 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. •

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

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

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

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

[22] 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. •

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

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

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

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

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

[28] A heart that goeth two ways shall not have success, and the perverse of heart shall be scandalized therein. •

[29] A wicked heart shall be laden with sorrows, and the sinner will add sin to sin. •

[30] 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. •

[31] The heart of the wise is understood in wisdom, and a good ear will hear wisdom with all desire. •

[32] A wise heart, and which hath understanding, will abstain from sins, and in the works of justice shall have success.

[33] Water quencheth a flaming fire, and alms resisteth sins: •

[34] 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. •