Ben Sira 3:12-22

12 My child, take care of your father when he grows old; give him no cause for worry as long as he lives.
13 Be sympathetic even if his mind fails him; don't look down on him just because you are strong and healthy.
14 The Lord will not forget the kindness you show to your father; it will help you make up for your sins.
15 When you are in trouble, the Lord will remember your kindness and will help you; your sins will melt away like frost in warm sunshine.
16 Those who abandon their parents or give them cause for anger may as well be cursing the Lord; they are already under the Lord's curse.
17 My child, be humble in everything you do, and people will appreciate it more than gifts.
18 The greater you become, the more humble you should be; then the Lord will be pleased with you. 1
20 The Lord's power is great, and he is honored by those who are humble.
21 Don't try to understand things that are too hard for you, or investigate matters that are beyond your power to know.
22 Concentrate on the Law, which has been given to you. You do not need to know about things which the Lord has not revealed, 2

Cross References 2

  • 1. 3.18Philippians 2.3.
  • 2. 3.22Deuteronomy 29.29.

Footnotes 2

  • [a]. [Hebrew] people . . . gifts; [Greek] those whom the Lord approves will love you.
  • [b]. [Some Greek manuscripts add verse 19:] Many are exalted and esteemed, but God's secrets are revealed to the humble; [Hebrew:] God's mercy is great, and he reveals his secrets to those who are humble.
Scripture taken from the Good News Translation - Second Edition, Copyright 1992 by American Bible Society. Used by Permission.