Duties towards parents
1 My children, it is your father who speaks, listen to me and follow my advice and so be saved.
2 For the Lord established that children should respect their father; he confirmed the right of the mother over her children.
3 Whoever honors his father atones for his sins;
4 he who gives glory to his mother prepares a treasure for himself.
5 Whoever honors his father will receive joy from his own children and will be heard when he prays.
6 Whoever glorifies his father will have a long life. Who ever obeys the Lord gives com fort to his mother.
7 He serves those who brought him to birth as he would serve the Lord.
8 Honor your fa ther in word and deed so that his blessing may come on you.
9 For a father’s bless ing secures the future of his children, but a mother’s curse destroys them at their roots.
10 Do not rejoice at the humiliation of your father because his dishonor is no glory for you.
11 For a man’s glory comes from his father’s reputation; a mother who is not respected is a disgrace to her children.
12 My child, take care of your father in his old age, do not cause him sorrow as long as he lives.
13 Even if he has lost his mind, have patience; do not be disrespectful to him while you are in full health.
14 For kindness done to one’s father will never be forgotten, it will serve as reparation for your sins.
15 In the day of adversity the Lord will remember it to your advantage; for just as ice melts in the heat, so will your sins melt away.
16 The man who abandons his father is like a blasphemer; he who annoys his mother is cursed by the Lord.
Humility
17 My son, conduct your affairs with discretion and you will be loved by those who are acceptable to God.
18 The greater you are, the more you should humble yourself and thus you will find favor with God.
20 For great is the power of the Lord and it is the humble who give him glory.
21 Do not seek what is beyond your powers nor search into what is beyond your ability.
22 Reflect on what you are commanded to do; there is no need for you to know things that are hid den.
23 Do not tire yourself in resolving useless questions since the knowledge you already have goes beyond human understanding.
24 For many have been led astray by their per sonal theories and false pretension has under mined reason.
26 The obstinate man will eventually fall into evil, and he who loves danger will perish there in.
27 The obstinate man will be weighed down with sufferings; the sinner heaps up sin upon sin.
28 For the sufferings of the proud man there is no remedy, the roots of evil are implanted in him.
29 The wise man reflects on proverbs. What the wise man desires is an attentive ear.
Almsgiving
30 As water extinguishes the burning flames, almsgiving ob tains pardon for sins.
31 The man who re sponds by doing good prepares for the future, at the mo ment of his downfall he will find support.
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Comments Sirach, Chapter 3
• 3.1 This is the best commentary on Moses’ commandment concerning children’s responsibilities toward their parents. To honor our parents means: to respect, to be understanding and to offer material assistance in their difficulties.