Ben Sira 3:1-16
New American Bible (Revised Edition)
Chapter 3
Responsibilities to Parents[a]
1 Children, listen to me, your father;
act accordingly, that you may be safe.
2 For the Lord sets a father in honor over his children
and confirms a mother’s authority over her sons.
3 Those who honor their father atone for sins;
4 they store up riches who respect their mother.
5 Those who honor their father will have joy in their own children,
and when they pray they are heard.
6 Those who respect their father will live a long life;
those who obey the Lord honor their mother.
7 Those who fear the Lord honor their father,
and serve their parents as masters.
8 In word and deed honor your father,
that all blessings may come to you.(A)
9 A father’s blessing gives a person firm roots,
but a mother’s curse uproots the growing plant.(B)
10 Do not glory in your father’s disgrace,
for that is no glory to you!
11 A father’s glory is glory also for oneself;
they multiply sin who demean their mother.(C)
12 My son, be steadfast in honoring your father;
do not grieve him as long as he lives.(D)
13 Even if his mind fails, be considerate of him;
do not revile him because you are in your prime.
14 Kindness to a father will not be forgotten;
it will serve as a sin offering—it will take lasting root.
15 In time of trouble it will be recalled to your advantage,
like warmth upon frost it will melt away your sins.
16 Those who neglect their father are like blasphemers;
those who provoke their mother are accursed by their Creator.(E)
Footnotes
- 3:1–16 Besides the virtues that must characterize our conduct toward God, special duties are enjoined, such as honor and respect toward parents, with corresponding blessings (vv. 1–9). By showing such respect especially to old and infirm parents (vv. 10–13), the sins of children are pardoned (vv. 14–15). Failure to honor father and mother is blasphemy and merits a curse from God (v. 16). Cf. Ex 20:12; Eph 6:2–3.
Exodus 20:12
New American Bible (Revised Edition)
12 [a](A)Honor your father and your mother, that you may have a long life in the land the Lord your God is giving you.(B)
Read full chapterFootnotes
- 20:12–17 The Decalogue falls into two parts: the preceding precepts refer to God, the following refer primarily to one’s fellow Israelites.
Deuteronomy 5:16
New American Bible (Revised Edition)
16 (A)Honor your father and your mother, as the Lord, your God, has commanded you, that you may have a long life and that you may prosper in the land the Lord your God is giving you.
Read full chapter
Tobit 4:3-4
New American Bible (Revised Edition)
3 So he called his son Tobiah; and when he came, he said to him:[a] “Son, when I die, give me a decent burial. Honor your mother, and do not abandon her as long as she lives. Do whatever pleases her, and do not grieve her spirit in any way.(A) 4 Remember, son, how she went through many dangers for you while you were in her womb. When she dies, bury her in the same grave with me.
Read full chapterFootnotes
- 4:3–19 A collection of maxims that parallel those in the wisdom literature, especially Proverbs and Sirach (see Introduction): duties toward parents (vv. 3–4; cf. also 14:13); perseverance in virtue and avoidance of evil (vv. 5–6, 14b); necessity and value of almsgiving and charity (vv. 7–11, 16–17); marriage within the clan (vv. 12–13a); industry (v. 13b); prompt payment of wages (v. 14a); the golden rule (v. 15a); temperance (v. 15b); docility (v. 18); prayer (v. 19).
Proverbs 23:22
New American Bible (Revised Edition)
22 [a]Listen to your father who begot you,
do not despise your mother when she is old.
Footnotes
- 23:22–23 Father and mother are associated with truth and wisdom. One should no more rid oneself of truth and wisdom than rid oneself of one’s parents, who are their source.
Scripture texts, prefaces, introductions, footnotes and cross references used in this work are taken from the New American Bible, revised edition © 2010, 1991, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Inc., Washington, DC All Rights Reserved. No part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.