Wisdom of Sirach 3

Hear me your father, O children, and do thereafter, that ye may be safe.

Ἐμοῦ τοῦ πατρὸς ἀκούσατε τέκνα, καὶ οὕτως ποιήσατε, ἵνα σωθῆτε.

For the Lord hath given the father honour over the children, and hath confirmed the authority of the mother over the sons.

Ὁ γὰρ Κύριος ἐδόξασε πατέρα ἐπὶ τέκνοις, καὶ κρίσιν μητρὸς ἐστερέωσεν ἐφʼ υἱοῖς.

Whoso honoureth his father maketh an atonement for his sins:

Ὁ τιμῶν πατέρα ἐξιλάσεται ἁμαρτίαις.

and he that honoureth his mother is as one that layeth up treasure.

Καὶ ὡς ὁ ἀποθησαυρίζων, ὁ δοξάζων μητέρα αὐτοῦ.

Whoso honoureth his father shall have joy of his own children; and when he maketh his prayer, he shall be heard.

Ὁ τιμῶν πατερα εὐφρανθήσεται ὑπὸ τέκνων, καὶ ἐν ἡμέρᾳ προσευχῆς αὐτοῦ εἰσακουσθήσεται.

He that honoureth his father shall have a long life; and he that is obedient unto the Lord shall be a comfort to his mother,

Ὁ δοξάζων πατέρα μακροημερεύσει, καὶ ὁ εἰσακούων Κυρίου ἀναπαύσει μητέρα αὐτοῦ,

and will do service unto his parents, as to his masters.

καὶ ὡς δεσπόταις δουλεύσει ἐν τοῖς γεννήσασιν αὐτόν.

Honour thy father and mother both in word and deed, that a blessing may come upon thee from them.

Ἐν ἔργῳ καὶ λόγῳ τίμα τὸν πατέρα σου, ἵνα ἐπέλθῃ σοι εὐλογία παρʼ αὐτοῦ.

For the blessing of the father establisheth the houses of children; but the curse of the mother rooteth out foundations.

Εὐλογία γὰρ πατρὸς στηρίζει οἴκους τέκνων, κατάρα δὲ μητρὸς ἐκριζοῖ θεμέλια.

Glory not in the dishonour of thy father; for thy father's dishonour is no glory unto thee.

Μὴ δοξάζου ἐν ἀτιμίᾳ πατρός σου, οὐ γάρ ἐστί σοι δόξα πατρὸς ἀτιμία.

For the glory of a man is from the honour of his father; and a mother in dishonour is a reproach to the children.

Ἡ γὰρ δόξα ἀνθρώπου ἐκ τιμῆς πατρὸς αὐτοῦ, καὶ ὄνειδος τέκνοις μήτηρ ἐν ἀδοξίᾳ.

My son, help thy father in his age, and grieve him not as long as he liveth.

Τέκνον, ἀντιλαβοῦ ἐν γήρᾳ πατρός σου, καὶ μὴ λυπήσῃς αὐτὸν ἐν τῇ ζωῇ αὐτοῦ.

And if his understanding fail, have patience with him; and despise him not when thou art in thy full strength.

Κᾂν ἀπολείπῃ σύνεσιν, συγγνώμην ἔχε, καὶ μὴ ἀτιμάσῃς αὐτὸν ἐν πάσῃ ἰσχύϊ σου.

For the relieving of thy father shall not be forgotten: and instead of sins it shall be added to build thee up.

Ἐλεημοσύνη γὰρ πατρὸς οὐκ ἐπιλησθήσεται, καὶ ἀντὶ ἁμαρτιῶν προσανοικοδομηθήσεταί σοι.

In the day of thine affliction it shall be remembered; thy sins also shall melt away, as the ice in the fair warm weather.

Ἐν ἡμέρᾳ θλίψεώς σου ἀναμνησθήσεταί σου· ὡς εὐδία ἐπὶ παγετῷ, οὕτως ἀναλυθήσονταί σου αἱ ἁμαρτίαι.

He that forsaketh his father is as a blasphemer; and he that angereth his mother is cursed of God.

Ὡς βλάσφημος ὁ ἐγκαταλιπὼν πατέρα, καὶ κεκατηραμένος ὑπὸ Κυρίου ὁ παροργίζων μητέρα αὐτοῦ.

My son, go on with thy business in meekness; so shalt thou be beloved of him that is approved.

Τέκνον, ἐν πραΰτητι τὰ ἔργα σου διέξαγε, καὶ ὑπὸ ἀνθρώπου δεκτοῦ ἀγαπηθήσῃ.

The greater thou art, the more humble thyself, and thou shalt find favour before the Lord.

Ὅσῳ μέγας εἶ, τοσούτῳ ταπεινοῦ σεαυτὸν, καὶ ἔναντι Κυρίου εὑρήσεις χάριν.

For the power of the Lord is great, and he is honoured of the lowly.

Ὅτι μεγάλη ἡ δυναστεία τοῦ Κυρίου, καὶ ὑπὸ τῶν ταπεινῶν δοξάζεται.

Seek not out the things that are too hard for thee, neither search the things that are above thy strength.

Χαλέπωτερά σου μὴ ζήτει, καὶ ἰσχυρότερά σου μὴ ἐξέταζε,

But what is commanded thee, think thereupon with reverence; for it is not needful for thee to see with thine eyes the things that are in secret.

ἃ προσετάγη σοι, ταῦτα διανοοῦ· οὐ γάρ ἐστί σοι χρεία τῶν κρυπτῶν.

Be not curious in unnecessary matters; for more things are shewed unto thee than men understand.

Ἐν τοῖς περισσοῖς τῶν ἔργων σου μὴ περιεργάζου· πλείονα γὰρ συνέσεως ἀνθρώπων ὑπεδείχθη σοι.

For many are deceived by their own vain opinion; and an evil suspicion hath overthrown their judgment.

Πολλοὺς γὰρ ἐπλάνησεν ἡ ὑπόληψις αὐτῶν, καὶ ὑπόνοια πονηρὰ ὠλίσθησε διανοίας αὐτῶν.

A stubborn heart shall fare evil at the last; and he that loveth danger shall perish therein.

Καὶ ὁ ἀγαπῶν κίνδυνον, ἐν αὐτῷ ἐμπεσεῖται· καρδία σκληρὰ κακωθήσεται ἐπʼ ἐσχάτων.

An obstinate heart shall be laden with sorrows; and the wicked man shall heap sin upon sin.

Καρδία σκληρὰ βαρυνθήσεται πόνοις, καὶ ὁ ἁμαρτωλὸς προσθήσει ἁμαρτίαν ἐφʼ ἁμαρτίαις.

In the punishment of the proud there is no remedy; for the plant of wickedness hath taken root in him.

Ἐπαγωγὴ ὑπερηφάνου οὐκ ἔστιν ἴασις, φυτὸν γὰρ πονηρίας ἐῤῥίζωκεν ἐν αὐτῷ·

The heart of the prudent will understand a parable; and an attentive ear is the desire of a wise man.

καρδία συνετοῦ διανοηθήσεται παραβολὴν, καὶ οὖς ἀκροατοῦ ἐπιθυμία σοφοῦ.

Water will quench a flaming fire; and alms maketh an atonement for sins.

Πῦρ φλογιζόμενον ἀποσβέσει ὕδωρ, καὶ ἐλεημοσύνη ἐξιλάσεται ἁμαρτίας.

And he that requiteth good turns is mindful of that which may come hereafter; and when he falleth, he shall find a stay.

Ὁ ἀνταποδιδοὺς χάριτας μέμνηται εἰς τὰ μετὰ ταῦτα, καὶ ἐν καιρῷ πτώσεως εὑρήσει στήριγμα.