3:9. Honour thy father, in work and word, and all patience,
3:10. That a blessing may come upon thee from him, and his blessing may remain in the latter end.
3:11. The father"s blessing establisheth the houses of the children: but the mother"s curse rooteth up the foundation.
3:12. Glory not in the dishonour of thy father: for his shame is no glory to thee.
3:13. For the glory of a man is from the honour of his father, and a father without honour is the disgrace of the son.
3:14. Son, support the old age of thy father, and grieve him not in his life;
3:15. And if his understanding fail, have patience with him, and despise him not when thou art in thy strength: for the relieving of the father shall not be forgotten.
3:16. For good shall be repaid to thee for the sin of thy mother.
3:17. And in justice thou shalt be built up, and in the day of affliction thou shalt be remembered: and thy sins shall melt away as the ice in the fair warm weather.
3:18. Of what an evil fame is he that forsaketh his father: and he is cursed of G.o.d that angereth his mother.
3:19. My son, do thy works in meekness, and thou shalt be beloved above the glory of men.
3:20. The greater thou art, the more humble thyself in all things, and thou shalt find grace before G.o.d:
3:21. For great is the power of G.o.d alone, and he is honoured by the humble.
3:22. Seek not the things that are too high for thee, and search not into things above thy ability: but the things that G.o.d hath commanded thee, think on them always, and in many of his works be not curious.
3:23. For it is not necessary for thee to see with thy eyes those things that are hid.
3:24. In unnecessary matters be not over curious, and in many of his works thou shalt not be inquisitive.
3:25. For many things are shewn to thee above the understanding of men.
3:26. And the suspicion of them hath deceived many, and hath detained their minds in vanity.
3:27. A hard heart shall fear evil at the last: and he that loveth danger shall perish in it.
3:28. A heart that goeth two ways shall not have success, and the perverse of heart shall be scandalized therein.
3:29. A wicked heart shall be laden with sorrows, and the sinner will add sin to sin.
3:30. The congregation of the proud shall not be healed: for the plant of wickedness shall take root in them, and it shall not be perceived.
3:31. The heart of the wise is understood in wisdom, and a good ear will hear wisdom with all desire.
3:32. A wise heart, and which hath understanding, will abstain from sins, and in the works of justice shall have success.
3:33. Water quencheth a flaming fire, and alms resisteth sins:
3:34. And G.o.d provideth for him that sheweth favour: he remembereth him afterwards, and in the time of his fall he shall find a sure stay.
Ecclesiasticus Chapter 4
An exhortation to works of mercy, and to the love of wisdom.
4:1. Son, defraud not the poor of alms, and turn not away thy eyes from the poor.
4:2. Despise not the hungry soul: and provoke not the poor in his want.
4:3. Afflict not the heart of the needy, and defer not to gibe to him that is in distress.
4:4. Reject not the pet.i.tion of the afflicted: and turn not away thy face from the needy.
4:5. Turn not away thy eyes from the poor for fear of anger: and leave not to them that ask of thee to curse thee behind thy back.
4:6. For the prayer of him that curseth thee in the bitterness of his soul, shall be heard, for he that made him will hear him.
4:7. Make thyself affable to the congregation of the poor, and humble thy soul to the ancient, and bow thy head to a great man.
4:8. Bow down thy ear cheerfully to the poor, and pay what thou owest, and answer him peaceable words with mildness.
4:9. Deliver him that suffereth wrong out of the hand of the proud: and be not fainthearted in thy soul.
4:10. In judging be merciful to the fatherless as a father, and as a husband to their mother.
4:11. And thou shalt be as the obedient son of the most High, and he will have mercy on thee more than a mother.
4:12. Wisdom inspireth life into her children, and protecteth them that seek after her, and will go before them in the way of justice.
4:13. And he that loveth her, loveth life: and they that watch for her, shall embrace her sweetness.
4:14. They that hold her fast, shall inherit life: and whithersoever she entereth, G.o.d will give a blessing.
4:15. They that serve her, shall be servants to the holy one: and G.o.d loveth them that love her.
4:16. He that hearkeneth to her, shall judge nations: and he that looketh upon her, shall remain secure.
4:17. If he trust to her, he shall inherit her, and his generation shall be in a.s.surance.
4:18. For she walketh with him in temptation, and at the first she chooseth him.
In temptation, etc... The meaning is, that before wisdom will choose any for her favourite, she will try them by leading them through contradictions, afflictions, and temptations, the usual noviceship of the children of G.o.d.
4:19. She will bring upon him fear and dread and trial: and she will scourge him with the affliction of her discipline, till she try him by her laws, and trust his soul.
4:20. Then she will strengthen him, and make a straight way to him, and give him joy,
4:21. And will disclose her secrets to him, and will heap upon him treasures of knowledge and understanding of justice.