Sirach 3:1-9

Duties to parents

1 Listen to a father's warning, children, and act accordingly so that you may be safe.

2 The Lord gives pride of place to a father above his children and establishes a mother's judgment above that of her offspring.

3 Those who honor their fathers will make up for their own sins,

4 and those who praise their mother are like people storing up treasure.

5 Those who honor their fathers will be made happy by their own children, and they will be heard when they pray.

6 Those who praise their fathers will live a long life, and those who listen to the Lord will give rest to their mothers,

7 and they will serve their parents as their masters.

8 Honor your father in action and word so that a blessing will come from him to you,

9 since a father's blessing supports his children's families, but a mother's curse undermines their foundations.

Footnotes

• [a]. LXXb adds 3:7a Those who fear the Lord will honor their father.