^16 (A)“‘God's curse on anyone who dishonors his father or mother.’

“And all the people will answer, ‘Amen!’

Duties to Parents

3 Children, listen to me; I am your father. Do what I tell you and you will be safe, ² for the Lord has given fathers authority over their children and given children the obligation to obey their mothers. ³ If you respect your father, you can make up for your sins, ⁴ and if you honor your mother, you are earning great wealth. ⁵ If you respect your father, one day your own children will make you happy; the Lord will hear your prayers. ⁶ If you obey the Lord by honoring your father and making your mother happy, you will live a long life. ⁷ Obey your parents as if you were their slave. ^8 (A)Honor your father in everything you do and say, so that you may receive his blessing. ⁹ When parents give their blessing, they give strength to their children's homes, but when they curse their children, they destroy the very foundations.

¹⁰ Never seek honor for yourself at your father's expense; it is not to your credit if he is dishonored. ¹¹ Your own honor comes from the respect that you show to your father. If children do not honor their mothers, it is their own disgrace. 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.

^4 (A)For God said, ‘Respect your father and your mother,’ and ‘If you curse your father or your mother, you are to be put to death.’

¹⁹ you are to receive the punishment the accused would have received. In this way your nation will get rid of this evil.

^10 (A)For Moses commanded, ‘Respect your father and your mother,’ and, ‘If you curse your father or your mother, you are to be put to death.’