Sirach 3

1Give heed to me, O children, for I am your father, And do what I tell you, that you may be saved.

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2For the Lord honored the father over the children And strengthened the judgment of the mother over her sons.

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3He who honors his father atones for his sins;

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4And he who honors his mother Is like one who stores up treasure.

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5He who honors his father Will be gladdened by his own children, And when he prays, he will be heard.

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6He who honors his father will have a long life, And he who obeys the Lord will give rest to his mother;

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7And he will serve his parents as his masters.

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8Honor your father and mother in word and deed, That a blessing may come upon you from him.

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9For the blessing of a father establishes the houses of the children, But the curse of a mother uproots their foundations.

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10Do not glory in the dishonor of your father, For your father's dishonor is no glory to you.

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11For the glory of a man is from the honor of his father, And it is a disgrace for children to dishonor their mother.

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12My son, help your father in his old age, And do not grieve him in his life;

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13And if his understanding fails, be considerate, And do not dishonor him in your prime.

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14For kindness to a father will not be forgotten, And it will be credited to you instead of your sins.

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15It will be remembered in the day of your affliction; Thus your sins will melt away like frost in warm weather.

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16He who forsakes his father is like a blasphemer, And he who provokes his mother to wrath is cursed by God.

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17My son, accomplish your works with gentleness, And you will be loved by people the Lord accepts.

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18The greater you are, the more humble you must be, And you will find grace before the Lord;

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19Because great is the power of the Lord, And He is honored by the humble.

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20Do not seek things too difficult for you, Nor examine what is beyond your strength.

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21Think about what is commanded you, For you do not need what the Lord keeps hidden.

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22Do not meddle in what is none of your business, For things beyond human insight have been shown to you.

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23Speculation has led many astray, And evil suppositions have caused their minds to slip and fall.

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24A hard heart will suffer ruin in the end, And he who loves danger will perish in it.

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25A hard heart will be weighed down with pains, And the sinner will add sin to sin.

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26There is no healing to aid an arrogant man, For a plant of evil has taken root in him.

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27The heart of an intelligent man will ponder a parable, And the ear of a pupil is a wise man's desire.

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28Water will quench a blazing fire, And almsgiving will atone for sins.

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29He who repays kindnesses is mindful of the hereafter, And at the time of his fall he will find support.

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