Sirach 3:1-11
Revised Standard Version
Duties toward Parents
3 Listen to me your father, O children;
and act accordingly, that you may be kept in safety.
2 For the Lord honored the father above the children,
and he confirmed the right of the mother over her sons.
3 Whoever honors his father atones for sins,
4 and whoever glorifies his mother is like one who lays up treasure.
5 Whoever honors his father will be gladdened by his own children,
and when he prays he will be heard.
6 Whoever glorifies his father will have long life,
and whoever obeys the Lord will refresh his mother;
7 he will serve his parents as his masters.[a]
8 Honor your father by word and deed,
that a blessing from him may come upon you.
9 For a father’s blessing strengthens the houses of the children,
but a mother’s curse uproots their foundations.
10 Do not glorify yourself by dishonoring your father,
for your father’s dishonor is no glory to you.
11 For a man’s glory comes from honoring his father,
and it is a disgrace for children not to respect their mother.
Footnotes
- Sirach 3:7 In other authorities this line is preceded by Whoever fears the Lord will honor his father,
Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright © 1946, 1952, and 1971 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.