Duties toward Parents Sirach 3:1-16

3:1 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, and preserves himself from them. When he prays, he is heard;

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. 

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.

12 O son, help your father in his old age, and do not grieve him as long as he lives;

13 even if he is lacking in understanding, show forbearance; and do not despise him all the days of his life.

14 For kindness to a father will not be forgotten, and against your sins it will be credited to you  a house raised in justice to you.

15 in the day of your affliction it will be remembered in your favor; as frost in fair weather, your sins will melt away.

16 Whoever forsakes his father is like a blasphemer, and whoever angers his mother is cursed by the Lord.