> [[sirach-02|← Previous]] | [[sirach-00|TOC]] | [[sirach-04|Next →]] --- # Sirach, Chapter 3 ## Chapter 3 ### Responsibilities to Parents 1 Children, listen to me, your father; ^sirach-03-1 act accordingly, that you may be safe. 2 For the Lord sets a father in honor over his children ^sirach-03-2 and confirms a mother’s authority over her sons. 3 Those who honor their father atone for sins; ^sirach-03-3 4 they store up riches who respect their mother. ^sirach-03-4 5 Those who honor their father will have joy in their own children, ^sirach-03-5 and when they pray they are heard. 6 Those who respect their father will live a long life; ^sirach-03-6 those who obey the Lord honor their mother. 7 Those who fear the Lord honor their father, ^sirach-03-7 and serve their parents as masters. 8 In word and deed honor your father, ^sirach-03-8 that all blessings may come to you. 9 A father’s blessing gives a person firm roots, ^sirach-03-9 but a mother’s curse uproots the growing plant. 10 Do not glory in your father’s disgrace, ^sirach-03-10 for that is no glory to you! 11 A father’s glory is glory also for oneself; ^sirach-03-11 they multiply sin who demean their mother. 12 My son, be steadfast in honoring your father; ^sirach-03-12 do not grieve him as long as he lives. 13 Even if his mind fails, be considerate of him; ^sirach-03-13 do not revile him because you are in your prime. 14 Kindness to a father will not be forgotten; ^sirach-03-14 it will serve as a sin offering—it will take lasting root. 15 In time of trouble it will be recalled to your advantage, ^sirach-03-15 like warmth upon frost it will melt away your sins. 16 Those who neglect their father are like blasphemers; ^sirach-03-16 those who provoke their mother are accursed by their Creator. ### Humility 17 My son, conduct your affairs with humility, ^sirach-03-17 and you will be loved more than a giver of gifts. 18 Humble yourself the more, the greater you are, ^sirach-03-18 and you will find mercy in the sight of God. 20 For great is the power of the Lord; ^sirach-03-20 by the humble he is glorified. 21 What is too sublime for you, do not seek; ^sirach-03-21 do not reach into things that are hidden from you. 22 What is committed to you, pay heed to; ^sirach-03-22 what is hidden is not your concern. 23 In matters that are beyond you do not meddle, ^sirach-03-23 when you have been shown more than you can understand. 24 Indeed, many are the conceits of human beings; ^sirach-03-24 evil imaginations lead them astray. ### Docility 25 Without the pupil of the eye, light is missing; ^sirach-03-25 without knowledge, wisdom is missing. 26 A stubborn heart will fare badly in the end; ^sirach-03-26 those who love danger will perish in it. 27 A stubborn heart will have many a hurt; ^sirach-03-27 adding sin to sin is madness. 28 When the proud are afflicted, there is no cure; ^sirach-03-28 for they are offshoots of an evil plant. 29 The mind of the wise appreciates proverbs, ^sirach-03-29 and the ear that listens to wisdom rejoices. ### Alms for the Poor 30 As water quenches a flaming fire, ^sirach-03-30 so [[almsgiving]] atones for sins. 31 The kindness people have done crosses their paths later on; ^sirach-03-31 should they stumble, they will find support. \* (3:1] – [16) Besides the virtues that must characterize our conduct toward God, special duties are enjoined, such as honor and respect toward parents, with corresponding blessings (vv. [1] – [9]). By showing such respect especially to old and infirm parents (vv. [10] – [13]), the sins of children are pardoned (vv. [14] – [15]). Failure to honor father and mother is blasphemy and merits a curse from God (v. [16]). Cf. ([[exodus-20|Ex 20]]:12]; [Eph 6:2] – [3]. \* (3:17] – [24) Humility gives you a true estimate of yourself (vv. [17] – [20]; cf. [10:28]), so that you will do what should be done, and avoid what is beyond your understanding and strength (vv. [21] – [23]). Intellectual pride, however, leads you astray (v. [24]). Ben Sira is perhaps warning his students against the perils of Greek philosophy. † (3:18) Other ancient texts read as v. 19: Many are lofty and famous, but to the humble he reveals his plan. \* (3:25] – [29) The antidote for stubbornness is to be found in the search for knowledge and wisdom. a. (3:8) ([[exodus-20|Ex 20]]:12]; [Dt 5:16]; ([[matthew-15|Mt 15]]:4]; [19:19]; ([[mark-07|Mk 7]]:10]; [10:19]; ([[luke-18|Lk 18]]:20]; [Eph 6:2] – [3]. b. (3:9) [Gn 27:27] – [29]; [49:2] – [27]. c. (3:11) [Prv 17:6]. d. (3:12) [Prv 23:22]. e. (3:16) [Prv 19:26]; [30:11], [14], [17]. f. (3:18) ([[matthew-23|Mt 23]]:12]; ([[luke-01|Lk 1]]:52]; [14:11]; [18:14]. g. (3:21) [Ps 131:1]. h. (3:28) [Dt 32:32]; [Wis 12:10]. i. (3:30) [Sir 7:32] – [36]; [29:8] – [13]; [Dt 15:7] – [11]; [Tb 12:9]; [Dn 4:24]. --- _New American Bible, revised edition_ (2010, 1991, 1986, 1970) Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Washington, D.C. > [[sirach-02|← Previous]] | [[sirach-00|TOC]] | [[sirach-04|Next →]]