Honoring Parents
Wisdom of Sirach 3, verse 1. Give heed to me, O children, for I am your father, And do what I tell you, that you may be saved. Wisdom of Sirach 3, verse 2. For the Lord honored the father over the children And strengthened the judgment of the mother over her sons. Wisdom of Sirach 3, verse 3. He who honors his father atones for his sins; Wisdom of Sirach 3, verse 4. And he who honors his mother Is like one who stores up treasure. Wisdom of Sirach 3, verse 5. He who honors his father Will be gladdened by his own children, And when he prays, he will be heard. Wisdom of Sirach 3, verse 6. He who honors his father will have a long life, And he who obeys the Lord will give rest to his mother; Wisdom of Sirach 3, verse 7. And he will serve his parents as his masters. Wisdom of Sirach 3, verse 8. Honor your father and mother in word and deed, That a blessing may come upon you from him. Wisdom of Sirach 3, verse 9. For the blessing of a father establishes the houses of the children, But the curse of a mother uproots their foundations. Wisdom of Sirach 3, verse 10. Do not glory in the dishonor of your father, For your father's dishonor is no glory to you. Wisdom of Sirach 3, verse 11. For the glory of a man is from the honor of his father, And it is a disgrace for children to dishonor their mother. Wisdom of Sirach 3, verse 12. My son, help your father in his old age, And do not grieve him in his life; Wisdom of Sirach 3, verse 13. And if his understanding fails, be considerate, And do not dishonor him in your prime. Wisdom of Sirach 3, verse 14. For kindness to a father will not be forgotten, And it will be credited to you instead of your sins. Wisdom of Sirach 3, verse 15. It will be remembered in the day of your affliction; Thus your sins will melt away like frost in warm weather. Wisdom of Sirach 3, verse 16. He who forsakes his father is like a blasphemer, And he who provokes his mother to wrath is cursed by God.
Wisdom at Work
Wisdom of Sirach 3, verse 17. My son, accomplish your works with gentleness, And you will be loved by people the Lord accepts. Wisdom of Sirach 3, verse 18. The greater you are, the more humble you must be, And you will find grace before the Lord; Wisdom of Sirach 3, verse 19. Because great is the power of the Lord, And He is honored by the humble. Wisdom of Sirach 3, verse 20. Do not seek things too difficult for you, Nor examine what is beyond your strength. Wisdom of Sirach 3, verse 21. Think about what is commanded you, For you do not need what the Lord keeps hidden. Wisdom of Sirach 3, verse 22. Do not meddle in what is none of your business, For things beyond human insight have been shown to you. Wisdom of Sirach 3, verse 23. Speculation has led many astray, And evil suppositions have caused their minds to slip and fall.
Keep a Soft Heart
Wisdom of Sirach 3, verse 24. A hard heart will suffer ruin in the end, And he who loves danger will perish in it. Wisdom of Sirach 3, verse 25. A hard heart will be weighed down with pains, And the sinner will add sin to sin. Wisdom of Sirach 3, verse 26. There is no healing to aid an arrogant man, For a plant of evil has taken root in him. Wisdom of Sirach 3, verse 27. The heart of an intelligent man will ponder a parable, And the ear of a pupil is a wise man's desire. Wisdom of Sirach 3, verse 28. Water will quench a blazing fire, And almsgiving will atone for sins. Wisdom of Sirach 3, verse 29. He who repays kindnesses is mindful of the hereafter, And at the time of his fall he will find support.