Duties towards parents
1 ① My children, it is your father who speaks, listen to me and follow my advice and so be saved. 2For the Lord established that children should respect their father; he confirmed the right of the mother over her children.
3Whoever honors his father atones for his sins; 4he who gives glory to his mother prepares a treasure for himself.
5Whoever honors his father will receive joy from his own children and will be heard when he prays.
6Whoever glorifies his father will have a long life. Whoever obeys the Lord gives comfort to his mother. 7He serves those who brought him to birth as he would serve the Lord.
8Honor your father in word and deed so that his blessing may come on you. 9For a father’s blessing secures the future of his children, but a mother’s curse destroys them at their roots.
10Do not rejoice at the humiliation of your father because his dishonor is no glory for you. 11For a man’s glory comes from his father’s reputation; a mother who is not respected is a disgrace to her children.
12My child, take care of your father in his old age, do not cause him sorrow as long as he lives.
13Even if he has lost his mind, have patience; do not be disrespectful to him while you are in full health.
14For kindness done to one’s father will never be forgotten, it will serve as reparation for your sins.
15In 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. 16The man who abandons his father is like a blasphemer; he who annoys his mother is cursed by the Lord.
Humility
17My son, conduct your affairs with discretion and you will be loved by those who are acceptable to God.
18The greater you are, the more you should humble yourself and thus you will find favor with God. 19* 20For great is the power of the Lord and it is the humble who give him glory. 21Do not seek what is beyond your powers nor search into what is beyond your ability.
22Reflect on what you are commanded to do; there is no need for you to know things that are hidden. 23Do not tire yourself in resolving useless questions since the knowledge you already have goes beyond human understanding.
24For many have been led astray by their personal theories and false pretension has under mined reason.
25* 26The obstinate man will eventually fall into evil, and he who loves danger will perish there in. 27The obstinate man will be weighed down with sufferings; the sinner heaps up sin upon sin.
28For the sufferings of the proud man there is no remedy, the roots of evil are implanted in him. 29The wise man reflects on proverbs. What the wise man desires is an attentive ear.
Almsgiving
30As water extinguishes the burning flames, almsgiving obtains pardon for sins. 31The man who responds by doing good prepares for the future, at the moment of his downfall he will find support.
- Sir 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.
