Old Testament

New Testament

Sirach (Ecclesiasticus) 3:12-27 Good News Bible Catholic Edition (GNBDK)

12. My child, take care of your father when he grows old; give him no cause for worry as long as he lives.

13. Be sympathetic even if his mind fails him; don't look down on him just because you are strong and healthy.

14. The Lord will not forget the kindness you show to your father; it will help you to make up for your sins.

15. When you are in trouble, the Lord will remember your kindness and will help you; your sins will melt away like frost in warm sunshine.

16. Those who abandon their parents or give them cause for anger may as well be cursing the Lord; they are already under the Lord's curse.

17. My child, be humble in everything you do, and people will appreciate it more than gifts.

18. The greater you become, the more humble you should be; then the Lord will be pleased with you.

20. The Lord's power is great, and he is honoured by those who are humble.

21. Don't try to understand things that are too hard for you, or investigate matters that are beyond your power to know.

22. Concentrate on the Law, which has been given to you. You do not need to know about things which the Lord has not revealed,

23. so don't concern yourself with them. After all, what has been shown to you is beyond human power to understand.

24. Many people have been misled by their own opinions; their wrong ideas have warped their judgement.

26. Stubbornness will get you into trouble in the end. If you live dangerously, it will kill you.

27. A stubborn person will be burdened down with troubles. Sinners go on adding one sin to another.

Read complete chapter Sirach (Ecclesiasticus) 3