Sirach 3

DOUAI-RHEIMS	NEW AMERICAN BIBLE
1 The sons of wisdom are the church of the just: and their generation, obedience and love.	1 Children, pay heed to a father's right; do so that you may live.
2 Children, hear the judgment of your father, and so do that you may be saved.	2 For the LORD sets a father in honor over his children; a mother's authority he confirms over her sons.
3 For God hath made the father honourable to the children: and seeking the judgment of the mothers, hath confirmed it upon the children.	3 He who honors his father atones for sins;
4 He that loveth God, shall obtain pardon for his sine by prayer, and shall refrain himself from them, and shall be heard in the prayer of days.	4 he stores up riches who reveres his mother.
5 And he that honoureth his mother is as one that layeth up a treasure.	5 He who honors his father is gladdened by children, and when he prays he is heard.
6 He that honoureth his father shall have joy in his own children, and in the day of his prayer he shall be heard.	6 He who reveres his father will live a long life; he obeys the LORD who brings comfort to his mother.
7 He that honoureth his father shall enjoy a long life: and he that obeyeth the father, shall be a comfort to his mother.	7 He who fears the LORD honors his father, and serves his parents as rulers.
8 He that feareth the Lord, honoureth his parents, and will serve them as his masters that brought him into the world.	8 In word and deed honor your father that his blessing may come upon you;
9 Honour thy father, in work and word, and all patience,	9 For a father's blessing gives a family firm roots, but a mother's curse uproots the growing plant.
10 That a blessing may come upon thee from him, and his blessing may remain in the latter end.	10 Glory not in your father's shame, for his shame is no glory to you!
11 The father's blessing establisheth the houses of the children: but the mother's curse rooteth up the foundation.	11 His father's honor is a man's glory; disgrace for her children, a mother's shame.
12 Glory not in the dishonour of thy father: for his shame is no glory to thee.	12 My son, take care of your father when he is old; grieve him not as long as he lives.
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.	13 Even if his mind fail, be considerate with him; revile him not in the fullness of your strength.
14 Son, support the old age of thy father, and grieve him not in his life;	14 For kindness to a father will not be forgotten, it will serve as a sin offering--it will take lasting root.
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.	15 In time of tribulation it will be recalled to your advantage, like warmth upon frost it will melt away your sins.
16 For good shall be repaid to thee for the sin of thy mother.	16 A blasphemer is he who despises his father; accursed of his Creator, he who angers his mother.
17 And in justice thou shalt be built up, and in the day of affliction thou shalt be remembered: and thy sine shall melt away as the ice in the fair warm weather.	17 My son, conduct your affairs with humility, and you will be loved more than a giver of gifts.
18 Of what an evil fame is he that forsaketh his father: and he is cursed of God that angereth his mother.	18 Humble yourself the more, the greater you are, and you will find favor with God.
19 My son, do thy works in meekness, and thou shalt be beloved above the glory of men.	19 For great is the power of God; by the humble he is glorified.
20 The greater thou art, the more humble thyself in all things, and thou shalt find grace before God:	20 What is too sublime for you, seek not, into things beyond your strength search not.
21 For great is the power of God alone, and he is honoured by the humble.	21 What is committed to you, attend to; for what is hidden is not your concern.
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.	22 With what is too much for you meddle not, when shown things beyond human understanding.
23 For it is not necessary for thee to see with thy eyes those things that are hid.	23 Their own opinion has misled many, and false reasoning unbalanced their judgment.
24 In unnecessary matters be not over curious, and in many of his works thou shalt not be inquisitive.	24 Where the pupil of the eye is missing, there is no light, and where there is no knowledge, there is no wisdom.
25 For many things are shewn to thee above the understanding of men.	25 A stubborn man will fare badly in the end, and he who loves danger will perish in it.
26 And the suspicion of them hath deceived many, and hath detained their minds in vanity.	26 A stubborn man will be burdened with sorrow; a sinner will heap sin upon sin.
27 A hard heart shall fear evil at the last: and he that loveth danger shall perish in it.	27 For the affliction of the proud man there is no cure; he is the offshoot of an evil plant.
28 A heart that goeth two ways shall not have success, and the perverse of heart shall be scandalized therein.	28 The mind of a sage appreciates proverbs, and an attentive ear is the wise man's joy.
29 A wicked heart shall be laden with sorrows, and the sinner will add sin to sin.	29 Water quenches a flaming fire, and alms atone for sins.
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.	30 He who does a kindness is remembered afterward; when he falls, he finds a support.
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 sine, 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.