Old Testament

New Testament

Sirach 7:24-38 Catholic Public Domain Version (CPDV)

24. Are cattle yours? Tend to them. And if they are useful, let them remain with you.

25. Are sons yours? Instruct them, and bow them down from their childhood.

26. Are daughters yours? Watch over their bodies. And you should not display a light-hearted attitude toward them.

27. Give your daughter in marriage, and give her to an understanding man, and you will be doing a great work.

28. If a wife in accord with your soul is yours, you should not reject her. But do not entrust yourself to her who is hateful.

29. With your whole heart, honor your father. And you should not forget the complaints of your mother.

30. Remember that you would not have been born except through them. And so, give back to them as they also have done for you.

31. With all your soul, fear the Lord, and consider his priests to be holy.

32. With all your strength, love him who made you, and you should not abandon his ministers.

33. Honor God from your whole soul, and confer honor on the priests, and continue to purify yourself with your strength.

34. Give them their portion, just as it has been commanded of you, from the first-fruits and from the purifications. And for your ignorant offenses, purify yourself with a smaller offering.

35. You should offer to the Lord the gift of your strength, and the sacrifice of sanctification, and the first-fruits of what is holy.

36. And reach out your hand to the poor, so that your atonement and your blessing may be perfected.

37. A gift has grace in the sight of all the living, but you should not prohibit grace for the dead.

38. You should not fail to console those who are weeping, nor to walk with those who are mourning.

Read complete chapter Sirach 7