Sirach 3

NEW JERUSALEM	KING JAMES BIBLE
1 Children, listen to me for I am your father: do what I tel you, and so be safe;	1 Hear me your father, O children, and do thereafter, that ye may be safe.
2 for the Lord honours the father above his children and upholds the rights of a mother over her sons.	2 For the Lord hath given the father honour over the children, and hath confirmed the authority of the mother over the sons.
3 Whoever respects a father expiates sins,	3 Whoso honoureth his father maketh an atonement for his sins:
4 whoever honours a mother is like someone amassing a fortune.	4 And he that honoureth his mother is as one that layeth up treasure.
5 Whoever respects a father will in turn be happy with children, the day he prays for help, he will be heard.	5 Whoso honoureth his father shall have joy of his own children; and when he maketh his prayer, he shall be heard.
6 Long life comes to anyone who honours a father, whoever obeys the Lord makes a mother happy.	6 He that honoureth his father shall have a long life; and he that is obedient unto the Lord shall be a comfort to his mother.
7 Such a one serves parents as wel as the Lord.	7 He that feareth the Lord will honour his father, and will do service unto his parents, as to his masters.
8 Respect your father in deed as wel as word, so that blessing may come on you from him;	8 Honour thy father and mother both in word and deed, that a blessing may come upon thee from them.
9 since a father's blessing makes his children's house firm, while a mother's curse tears up its foundations.	9 For the blessing of the father establisheth the houses of children; but the curse of the mother rooteth out foundations.
10 Do not make a boast of disgrace overtaking your father, your father's disgrace reflects no honour onyou;	10 Glory not in the dishonour of thy father; for thy father's dishonour is no glory unto thee.
11 for a person's own honour derives from the respect shown to his father, and a mother held in dishonouris a reproach to her children.	11 For the glory of a man is from the honour of his father; and a mother in dishonour is a reproach to the children.
12 My child, support your father in his old age, do not grieve him during his life.	12 My son, help thy father in his age, and grieve him not as long as he liveth.
13 Even if his mind should fail, show him sympathy, do not despise him in your health and strength;	13 And if his understanding fail, have patience with him; and despise him not when thou art in thy full strength.
14 for kindness to a father will not be forgotten but wil serve as reparation for your sins.	14 For the relieving of thy father shall not be forgotten: and instead of sins it shall be added to build thee up.
15 On your own day of ordeal God wil remember you: like frost in sunshine, your sins wil melt away.	15 In the day of thine affliction it shall be remembered; thy sins also shall melt away, as the ice in the fair warm weather.
16 Whoever deserts a father is no better than a blasphemer, and whoever distresses a mother is accursedof the Lord.	16 He that forsaketh his father is as a blasphemer; and he that angereth his mother is cursed: of God.
17 My child, be gentle in carrying out your business, and you will be better loved than a lavish giver.	17 My son, go on with thy business in meekness; so shalt thou be beloved of him that is approved.
18 The greater you are, the more humbly you should behave, and then you wil find favour with the Lord;	18 The greater thou art, the more humble thyself, and thou shalt find favour before the Lord.
19	19 Many are in high place, and of renown: but mysteries are revealed unto the meek.
20 for great though the power of the Lord is, he accepts the homage of the humble.	20 For the power of the Lord is great, and he is honoured of the lowly.
21 Do not try to understand things that are too difficult for you, or try to discover what is beyond yourpowers.	21 Seek not out things that are too hard for thee, neither search the things that are above thy strength.
22 Concentrate on what has been assigned you, you have no need to worry over mysteries.	22 But what is commanded thee, think thereupon with reverence, for it is not needful for thee to see with thine eyes the things that are in secret.
23 Do not meddle with matters that are beyond you; what you have been taught already exceeds thescope of the human mind.	23 Be not curious in unnecessary matters: for more things are shewed unto thee than men understand.
24 For many have been misled by their own notions, wicked presumption having warped their judgement.	24 For many are deceived by their own vain opinion; and an evil suspicion hath overthrown their judgment.
25	25 Without eyes thou shalt want light: profess not the knowledge therefore that thou hast not.
26 A stubborn heart wil come to a bad end, and whoever dal ies with danger wil perish in it.	26 A stubborn heart shall fare evil at the last; and he that loveth danger shall perish therein.
27 A stubborn heart is weighed down with troubles, the sinner heaps sin on sin.	27 An obstinate heart shall be laden with sorrows; and the wicked man shall heap sin upon sin.
28 For the disease of the proud there is no cure, since an evil growth has taken root there.	28 In the punishment of the proud there is no remedy; for the plant of wickedness hath taken root in him.
29 The heart of the sensible wil reflect on parables, an attentive ear is the sage's dream.	29 The heart of the prudent will understand a parable; and an attentive ear is the desire of a wise man.
30 Water puts out a blazing fire, almsgiving expiates sins.	30 Water will quench a flaming fire; and alms maketh an atonement for sins.
31 Whoever gives favours in return is mindful of the future; at the moment of falling, such a person wil findsupport.	31 And he that requiteth good turns is mindful of that which may come hereafter; and when he falleth, he shall find a stay.