top Wisdom of Sirach ch 3

Chapter 3

1 ἐμοῦ τοῦ πατρὸς ἀκούσατε, τέκνα, καὶ οὕτως ποιήσατε, ἵνα σωθῆτε· 1 Hear me your father, O children, and do thereafter, that ye may be safe.
2 ὁ γὰρ κύριος ἐδόξασεν πατέρα ἐπὶ τέκνοις καὶ κρίσιν μητρὸς ἐστερέωσεν ἐφ᾿ υἱοῖς. 2 For the Lord hath given the father honour over the children, and hath confirmed the authority of the mother over the sons.
3 ὁ τιμῶν πατέρα ἐξιλάσκεται ἁμαρτίας, 3 Whoso honoureth his father maketh an atonement for his sins:
4 καὶ ὡς ὁ ἀποθησαυρίζων ὁ δοξάζων μητέρα αὐτοῦ. 4 And he that honoureth his mother is as one that layeth up treasure.
5 ὁ τιμῶν πατέρα εὐφρανθήσεται ὑπὸ τέκνων καὶ ἐν ἡμέρᾳ προσευχῆς αὐτοῦ εἰσακουσθήσεται. 5 Whoso honoureth his father shall have joy of his own children; and when he maketh his prayer, he shall be heard.
6 ὁ δοξάζων πατέρα μακροημερεύσει, καὶ ὁ εἰσακούων κυρίου ἀναπαύσει μητέρα αὐτοῦ· 6 He that honoureth his father shall have a long life; and he that is obedient unto the Lord shall be a comfort to his mother.
7 καὶ ὡς δεσπόταις δουλεύσει ἐν τοῖς γεννήσασιν αὐτόν. 7 He that feareth the Lord will honour his father, and will do service unto his parents, as to his masters.
8 ἐν ἔργῳ καὶ λόγῳ τίμα τὸν πατέρα σου, ἵνα ἐπέλθῃ σοὶ εὐλογία παρ᾿ αὐτοῦ· 8 Honour thy father and mother both in word and deed, that a blessing may come upon thee from them.
9 εὐλογία γὰρ πατρὸς στηρίζει οἴκους τέκνων, κατάρα δὲ μητρὸς ἐκριζοῖ θεμέλια. 9 For the blessing of the father establisheth the houses of children; but the curse of the mother rooteth out foundations.
10 μὴ δοξάζου ἐν ἀτιμίᾳ πατρός σου, οὐ γάρ ἐστίν σοὶ δόξα πατρὸς ἀτιμία· 10 Glory not in the dishonour of thy father; for thy father’s dishonour is no glory unto thee.
11 ἡ γὰρ δόξα ἀνθρώπου ἐκ τιμῆς πατρὸς αὐτοῦ, καὶ ὄνειδος τέκνοις μήτηρ ἐν ἀδοξίᾳ. 11 For the glory of a man is from the honour of his father; and a mother in dishonour is a reproach to the children.
12 τέκνον, ἀντιλαβοῦ ἐν γήρᾳ πατρός σου καὶ μὴ λυπήσῃς αὐτὸν ἐν τῇ ζωῇ αὐτοῦ· 12 My son, help thy father in his age, and grieve him not as long as he liveth.
13 κἂν ἀπολείπῃ σύνεσιν συγγνώμην ἔχε καὶ μὴ ἀτιμάσῃς αὐτὸν ἐν πάσῃ ἰσχύϊ σου. 13 And if his understanding fail, have patience with him; and despise him not when thou art in thy full strength.
14 ἐλεημοσύνη γὰρ πατρὸς οὐκ ἐπιλησθήσεται καὶ ἀντὶ ἁμαρτιῶν προσανοικοδομηθήσεταί σοι. 14 For the relieving of thy father shall not be forgotten: and instead of sins it shall be added to build thee up.
15 ἐν ἡμέρᾳ θλίψεώς σου· ἀναμνησθήσεταί σου ὡς εὐδία ἐπὶ παγετῷ, οὕτως ἀναλυθήσονταί σου αἱ ἁμαρτίαι. 15 In the day of thine affliction it shall be remembered; thy sins also shall melt away, as the ice in the fair warm weather.
16 ὡς βλάσφημος ὁ ἐγκαταλιπὼν πατέρα, καὶ κεκατηραμένος ὑπὸ κυρίου ὁ παροργίζων μητέρα αὐτοῦ. 16 He that forsaketh his father is as a blasphemer; and he that angereth his mother is cursed: of God.
17 τέκνον, ἐν πραΰτητι τὰ ἔργα σου διέξαγε, καὶ ὑπὸ ἀνθρώπου δεκτοῦ ἀγαπηθήσῃ. 17 My son, go on with thy business in meekness; so shalt thou be beloved of him that is approved.
18 ὅσῳ μέγας εἶ, τοσούτῳ ταπείνου σεαυτόν, καὶ ἔναντι κυρίου εὑρήσεις χάριν· 18 The greater thou art, the more humble thyself, and thou shalt find favour before the Lord.
19  19 Many are in high place, and of renown: but mysteries are revealed unto the meek.
20 ὅτι μεγάλη ἡ δυναστεία τοῦ κυρίου καὶ ὑπὸ τῶν ταπεινῶν δοξάζεται. 20 For the power of the Lord is great, and he is honoured of the lowly.
21 χαλεπώτερά σου μὴ ζήτει καὶ ἰσχυρότερά σου μὴ ἐξέταζε· 21 Seek not out things that are too hard for thee, neither search the things that are above thy strength.
22 ἃ προσετάγη σοι, ταῦτα διανοοῦ, οὐ γάρ ἐστίν σοὶ χρεία τῶν κρυπτῶν. 22 But what is commanded thee, think thereupon with reverence, for it is not needful for thee to see with thine eyes the things that are in secret.
23 ἐν τοῖς περισσοῖς τῶν ἔργων σου μὴ περιεργάζου· πλείονα γὰρ συνέσεως ἀνθρώπων ὑπεδείχθη σοι. 23 Be not curious in unnecessary matters: for more things are shewed unto thee than men understand.
24 πολλοὺς γὰρ ἐπλάνησεν ἡ ὑπόλημψις αὐτῶν, καὶ ὑπόνοια πονηρὰ ὠλίσθησεν διανοίας αὐτῶν. 24 For many are deceived by their own vain opinion; and an evil suspicion hath overthrown their judgment.
25 κόρας μὴ ἔχων ἀπορήσεις φωτός, γνώσεως δὲ ἄμοιρος ὢν μὴ ἐπαγγέλλου 25 Without eyes thou shalt want light: profess not the knowledge therefore that thou hast not.
26 καρδία σκληρὰ κακωθήσεται ἐπ᾿ ἐσχάτων, καὶ ὁ ἀγαπῶν κίνδυνον ἐν αὐτῷ ἀπολεῖται. 26 A stubborn heart shall fare evil at the last; and he that loveth danger shall perish therein.
27 καρδία σκληρὰ βαρυνθήσεται πόνοις, καὶ ὁ ἁμαρτωλὸς προσθήσει ἁμαρτίαν ἐφ᾿ ἁμαρτίαις. 27 An obstinate heart shall be laden with sorrows; and the wicked man shall heap sin upon sin.
28 ἐπαγωγῇ ὑπερηφάνου οὐκ ἔστιν ἴασις· φυτὸν γὰρ πονηρίας ἐρρίζωκεν ἐν αὐτῷ. 28 In the punishment of the proud there is no remedy; for the plant of wickedness hath taken root in him.
29 καρδία συνετοῦ διανοηθήσεται παραβολήν, καὶ οὖς ἀκροατοῦ ἐπιθυμία σοφοῦ. 29 The heart of the prudent will understand a parable; and an attentive ear is the desire of a wise man.
30 πῦρ φλογιζόμενον ἀποσβέσει ὕδωρ, καὶ ἐλεημοσύνη ἐξιλάσεται ἁμαρτίας. 30 Water will quench a flaming fire; and alms maketh an atonement for sins.
31 ὁ ἀνταποδιδοὺς χάριτας μέμνηται εἰς τὰ μετὰ ταῦτα καὶ ἐν καιρῷ πτώσεως αὐτοῦ εὑρήσει στήριγμα. 31 And he that requiteth good turns is mindful of that which may come hereafter; and when he falleth, he shall find a stay.