Ecclesiasticus, 3

1. Hear me your father, O children, and do thereafter, that ye may be safe.

1. My children, it is your father who speaks, listen to me and follow my advice and so be saved.

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 established that children should respect their father; he confirmed the right of the mother over her sons.

3. Whoso honoureth his father maketh an atonement for his sins:

3. Whoever honors his father atones for his sins;

4. And he that honoureth his mother is as one that layeth up treasure.

4. he who gives glory to his mother prepares a treasure for himself.

5. Whoso honoureth his father shall have joy of his own children; and when he maketh his prayer, he shall be heard.

5. Whoever honors his father will receive joy from his own children and will be heard when he prays.

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. Whoever glorifies his father will have a long life. Whoever obeys the Lord gives 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 serves those who brought him to birth as he would serve the Lord.

8. Honour thy father and mother both in word and deed, that a blessing may come upon thee from them.

8. Honor your father in word and deed so that his blessing may come on 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 secures the future of his children, but a mother's curse destroys them at their roots.

10. Glory not in the dishonour of thy father; for thy father's dishonour is no glory unto thee.

10. Do not rejoice at the humiliation of your father because his dishonor is no glory for 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. 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 son, help thy father in his age, and grieve him not as long as he liveth.

12. My son, take care of your father in his old age, do not cause him sorrow 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 he has lost his mind, have patience; do not be disrespectful to him while you are in full health.

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 done to one's father will never be forgotten, it will serve as reparation for your sins.

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 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. He that forsaketh his father is as a blasphemer; and he that angereth his mother is cursed: of God.

16. The man who abandons his father is like a blasphemer; he who annoys his mother is cursed by the Lord.

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 discretion and you will be loved by those who are acceptable to God.

18. The greater thou art, the more humble thyself, and thou shalt find favour before the Lord.

18. The greater you are, the more you should humble yourself and thus you will find favor with God.

19. Many are in high place, and of renown: but mysteries are revealed unto the meek.

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20. For the power of the Lord is great, and he is honoured of the lowly.

20. For great is the power of the Lord and it is the humble who give him glory.

21. Seek not out things that are too hard for thee, neither search the things that are above thy strength.

21. Do not seek what is beyond your powers nor search into what is beyond your ability.

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. Reflect on what you are commanded to do; there is no need for you to know things that are hidden.

23. Be not curious in unnecessary matters: for more things are shewed unto thee than men understand.

23. Do not tire yourself in resolving useless questions since the knowledge you already have goes beyond human understanding.

24. For many are deceived by their own vain opinion; and an evil suspicion hath overthrown their judgment.

24. For many have been led astray by their personal theories and false pretension has undermined reason.

25. Without eyes thou shalt want light: profess not the knowledge therefore that thou hast not.

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26. A stubborn heart shall fare evil at the last; and he that loveth danger shall perish therein.

26. The obstinate man will eventually fall into evil, and he who loves danger will perish therein.

27. An obstinate heart shall be laden with sorrows; and the wicked man shall heap sin upon sin.

27. The obstinate man will be weighed down with sufferings; the sinner heaps up sin upon sin.

28. In the punishment of the proud there is no remedy; for the plant of wickedness hath taken root in him.

28. For the sufferings of the proud man there is no remedy, the roots of evil are implanted in him.

29. The heart of the prudent will understand a parable; and an attentive ear is the desire of a wise man.

29. The wise man reflects on proverbs. What the wise man desires is an attentive ear. Almsgiving

30. Water will quench a flaming fire; and alms maketh an atonement for sins.

30. As water extinguishes the burning flames, almsgiving obtains pardon for sins.

31. And he that requiteth good turns is mindful of that which may come hereafter; and when he falleth, he shall find a stay.

31. The man who responds by doing good prepares for the future, at the moment of his downfall he will find support.