1 Hear me your father, O children, and do thereafter, that ye may be safe.
2 For the Lord hath given the father honour over the children, and hath confirmed the authority of the mother over the sons.
3 Whoso honoureth his father maketh an atonement for his sins:
4 And he that honoureth his mother is as one that layeth up treasure.
5 Whoso honoureth his father shall have joy of his own children; and when he maketh his prayer, he shall be heard.
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 He that feareth the Lord will honour his father, and will do service unto his parents, as to his masters.
8 Honour thy father and mother both in word and deed, that a blessing may come upon thee from them.
9 For the blessing of the father establisheth the houses of children; but the curse of the mother rooteth out foundations.
10 Glory not in the dishonour of thy father; for thy father’s dishonour is no glory unto thee.
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 My son, help thy father in his age, and grieve him not as long as he liveth.
13 And if his understanding fail, have patience with him; and despise him not when thou art in thy full strength.
14 For the relieving of thy father shall not be forgotten: and instead of sins it shall be added to build thee up.
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 He that forsaketh his father is as a blasphemer; and he that angereth his mother is cursed: of God.
17 My son, go on with thy business in meekness; so shalt thou be beloved of him that is approved.
18 The greater thou art, the more humble thyself, and thou shalt find favour before the Lord.
19 Many are in high place, and of renown: but mysteries are revealed unto the meek.
20 For the power of the Lord is great, and he is honoured of the lowly.
21 Seek not out things that are too hard for thee, neither search the things that are above thy strength.
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 Be not curious in unnecessary matters: for more things are shewed unto thee than men understand.
24 For many are deceived by their own vain opinion; and an evil suspicion hath overthrown their judgment.
25 Without eyes thou shalt want light: profess not the knowledge therefore that thou hast not.
26 A stubborn heart shall fare evil at the last; and he that loveth danger shall perish therein.
27 An obstinate heart shall be laden with sorrows; and the wicked man shall heap sin upon sin.
28 In the punishment of the proud there is no remedy; for the plant of wickedness hath taken root in him.
29 The heart of the prudent will understand a parable; and an attentive ear is the desire of a wise man.
30 Water will quench a flaming fire; and alms maketh an atonement for sins.
31 And he that requiteth good turns is mindful of that which may come hereafter; and when he falleth, he shall find a stay.
Duties to Parents
1 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 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.
Humility
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. 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, 23 so don't concern yourself with them. After all, what has been shown to you is beyond human power to understand. 24 Many people have been misled by their own opinions; their wrong ideas have warped their judgment.
26 Stubbornness will get you into trouble at the end. If you live dangerously, it will kill you. 27 A stubborn person will be burdened down with troubles. Sinners go on adding one sin to another. 28 There is no cure for the troubles that arrogant people have; wickedness has taken deep root in them. 29 Intelligent people will learn from proverbs and parables. They listen well because they want to learn.
Giving to the Poor
30 Giving to the poor can make up for sin, just as water can put out a blazing fire. 31 Anyone who responds to others with acts of kindness is thinking of the future, because he will find help if he ever falls on hard times.