Sirach 3

KING JAMES BIBLE	NEW AMERICAN BIBLE
1 Hear me your father, O children, and do thereafter, that ye may be safe.	1 Children, pay heed to a father's right; do so that you may live.
2 For the Lord hath given the father honour over the children, and hath confirmed the authority of the mother over the sons.	2 For the LORD sets a father in honor over his children; a mother's authority he confirms over her sons.
3 Whoso honoureth his father maketh an atonement for his sins:	3 He who honors his father atones for sins;
4 And he that honoureth his mother is as one that layeth up treasure.	4 he stores up riches who reveres his mother.
5 Whoso honoureth his father shall have joy of his own children; and when he maketh his prayer, he shall be heard.	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 a long life; and he that is obedient unto the Lord shall be a comfort to his mother.	6 He who reveres his father will live a long life; he obeys the LORD who brings comfort to his mother.
7 He that feareth the Lord will honour his father, and will do service unto his parents, as to his masters.	7 He who fears the LORD honors his father, and serves his parents as rulers.
8 Honour thy father and mother both in word and deed, that a blessing may come upon thee from them.	8 In word and deed honor your father that his blessing may come upon you;
9 For the blessing of the father establisheth the houses of children; but the curse of the mother rooteth out foundations.	9 For a father's blessing gives a family firm roots, but a mother's curse uproots the growing plant.
10 Glory not in the dishonour of thy father; for thy father's dishonour is no glory unto thee.	10 Glory not in your father's shame, for his shame is no glory to you!
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.	11 His father's honor is a man's glory; disgrace for her children, a mother's shame.
12 My son, help thy father in his age, and grieve him not as long as he liveth.	12 My son, take care of your father when he is old; grieve him not as long as he lives.
13 And if his understanding fail, have patience with him; and despise him not when thou art in thy full strength.	13 Even if his mind fail, be considerate with him; revile him not in the fullness of your strength.
14 For the relieving of thy father shall not be forgotten: and instead of sins it shall be added to build thee up.	14 For kindness to a father will not be forgotten, it will serve as a sin offering--it will take lasting root.
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.	15 In time of tribulation it will be recalled to your advantage, like warmth upon frost it will melt away your sins.
16 He that forsaketh his father is as a blasphemer; and he that angereth his mother is cursed: of God.	16 A blasphemer is he who despises his father; accursed of his Creator, he who angers his mother.
17 My son, go on with thy business in meekness; so shalt thou be beloved of him that is approved.	17 My son, conduct your affairs with humility, and you will be loved more than a giver of gifts.
18 The greater thou art, the more humble thyself, and thou shalt find favour before the Lord.	18 Humble yourself the more, the greater you are, and you will find favor with God.
19 Many are in high place, and of renown: but mysteries are revealed unto the meek.	19 For great is the power of God; by the humble he is glorified.
20 For the power of the Lord is great, and he is honoured of the lowly.	20 What is too sublime for you, seek not, into things beyond your strength search not.
21 Seek not out things that are too hard for thee, neither search the things that are above thy strength.	21 What is committed to you, attend to; for what is hidden is not your concern.
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.	22 With what is too much for you meddle not, when shown things beyond human understanding.
23 Be not curious in unnecessary matters: for more things are shewed unto thee than men understand.	23 Their own opinion has misled many, and false reasoning unbalanced their judgment.
24 For many are deceived by their own vain opinion; and an evil suspicion hath overthrown their judgment.	24 Where the pupil of the eye is missing, there is no light, and where there is no knowledge, there is no wisdom.
25 Without eyes thou shalt want light: profess not the knowledge therefore that thou hast not.	25 A stubborn man will fare badly in the end, and he who loves danger will perish in it.
26 A stubborn heart shall fare evil at the last; and he that loveth danger shall perish therein.	26 A stubborn man will be burdened with sorrow; a sinner will heap sin upon sin.
27 An obstinate heart shall be laden with sorrows; and the wicked man shall heap sin upon sin.	27 For the affliction of the proud man there is no cure; he is the offshoot of an evil plant.
28 In the punishment of the proud there is no remedy; for the plant of wickedness hath taken root in him.	28 The mind of a sage appreciates proverbs, and an attentive ear is the wise man's joy.
29 The heart of the prudent will understand a parable; and an attentive ear is the desire of a wise man.	29 Water quenches a flaming fire, and alms atone for sins.
30 Water will quench a flaming fire; and alms maketh an atonement for sins.	30 He who does a kindness is remembered afterward; when he falls, he finds a support.
31 And he that requiteth good turns is mindful of that which may come hereafter; and when he falleth, he shall find a stay.