Lessons concerning the honour of parents, and humility, and avoiding
curiosity.
3:1. The sons of wisdom are the church of the just: and their
generation, obedience and love.
3:2. Children, hear the judgment of your father, and so do that you may
be saved.
3:3. For God hath made the father honourable to the children: and
seeking the judgment of the mothers, hath confirmed it upon the
children.
3:4. He that loveth God, shall obtain pardon for his sins by prayer, and
shall refrain himself from them, and shall be heard in the prayer of
days.
3:5. And he that honoureth his mother is as one that layeth up a
treasure.
3:6. He that honoureth his father shall have joy in his own children,
and in the day of his prayer he shall be heard.
3:7. He that honoureth his father shall enjoy a long life: and he that
obeyeth the father, shall be a comfort to his mother.
3:8. He that feareth the Lord, honoureth his parents, and will serve
them as his masters that brought him into the world.
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 God 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 God:
3:21. For great is the power of God 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 God 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 God provideth for him that sheweth favour: he remembereth him
afterwards, and in the time of his fall he shall find a sure stay.