Sirach 3
Honoring one's parents is a fundamental aspect of a virtuous life, as it is a way of showing reverence for God who has given them life. Those who honor their parents will be blessed with a long life, happiness, and success, while those who disobey or dishonor them will face shame and curse. Children should support their parents in old age and show kindness, even if their minds fail, as this will be repaid with good and justice. A humble and meek heart is also essential for a virtuous life, and one should not seek to know things that are beyond their understanding or ability.
The sons of wisdom are the Church of the just: and their generation is obedience and loveSons, listen to the judgment of your father, and act accordingly, so that you may be savedFor God has honored the father in the sons, and, when seeking the judgment of the mother, he has confirmed it in the childrenHe who loves God will plead with him on behalf of sins, and will keep himself away from sin, and will be heeded in the prayers of his daysAnd, like one who stores up treasure, so also is he who honors his motherHe who honors his father will find happiness in his own children, and he will be heeded in the day of his prayerHe who honors his father will live a long life. And he who obeys his father will be a refreshment to his motherHe who fears the Lord honors his parents, and he will serve them as masters, for it is they who conceived himIn word and deed, and in all things, honor your father with patienceso that a blessing may come to you from him, and so that his blessing may remain to the very endThe blessing of the father strengthens the houses of the sons; but the curse of the mother uproots even its foundationDo not boast in the disgrace of your father; for his shame is not your gloryFor the glory of a man is from the honor of his father, and a father without honor is a discredit to the sonSon, support your father in his old age, and do not grieve him in his lifeAnd if his mind should fail, show kindness; and do not spurn him when you are in your strength. For almsgiving to the father will never be forgottenFor even in return for the sin of the mother, good will be repaid to youAnd you will be built up in justice, and you will be remembered in the day of tribulation. And your sins will dissolve like ice in warm weatherWhat an evil form has he who forsakes his father! And whoever exasperates his mother is accursed by GodSon, perform your works in meekness, and you shall be loved beyond the glory of menHowever great you may be, humble yourself in all things, and you will find grace in the presence of GodFor only the power of God is great, and he is honored by the humbleYou should not seek the things that are too high for you, and you should not examine the things that are beyond your ability. But as for the things that God has entrusted to you, consider these always. But you should not be curious in too many of his worksFor it is not necessary for you to see with your own eyes the things that are hiddenIn unnecessary matters, do not choose to be an examiner of many different things, and you should not be curious about too many of his worksFor many things have been revealed to you, beyond the understanding of menYet uncertainty in these things has also undermined many persons and has detained their minds in vanityA hardened heart will have evil in the very end, and he who loves peril will perish in itA heart advancing in two directions will not have success, and the depraved heart will be scandalized in this wayA wicked heart will be burdened with sorrows, and a sinner will add further sinsThe synagogue of the arrogant will not be healed. For the stalk of sinfulness will take root in them, and it will not be understoodThe heart of the wise is understood by wisdom, and a good ear will listen to wisdom with all its desireA wise and understanding heart will abstain from sins, and will have success in works of justiceWater extinguishes a burning fire, and almsgiving withstands sinsAnd God is the watchman for him who repays a kindness. He remembers him afterwards, and in the time of his fall, he will find a firm support
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