Sirach 3
Old Testament · Brenton Septuagint with Greek parallel
Sirach chapter 3 is given here in full, verse by verse, in Sir Lancelot Brenton's classic English translation of the Septuagint (LXX), with the Greek text of the Septuagint set beneath each verse. The text follows the Septuagint tradition received throughout the Orthodox Church.
Patristic commentary for this chapter has not yet been attached. Related material may be found among the Church Fathers and the theology tables.
Sirach 3
1Hear me your father, O children, and do thereafter, that you may be safe.Ἐμοῦ τοῦ πατρὸς ἀκούσατε τέκνα, καὶ οὕτως ποιήσατε, ἵνα σωθῆτε.
2For the Lord has given the father honor over the children, and has confirmed the authority of the mother over the sons.Ὁ γὰρ Κύριος ἐδόξασε πατέρα ἐπὶ τέκνοις, καὶ κρίσιν μητρὸς ἐστερέωσεν ἐφʼ υἱοῖς.
3Whoso honors his father makes an atonement for his sins:Ὁ τιμῶν πατέρα ἐξιλάσεται ἁμαρτίαις.
4And he that honors his mother is as one that lays up treasure.Καὶ ὡς ὁ ἀποθησαυρίζων, ὁ δοξάζων μητέρα αὐτοῦ.
5Whoso honors his father shall have joy of his own children; and when he makes his prayer, he shall be heard.Ὁ τιμῶν πατερα εὐφρανθήσεται ὑπὸ τέκνων, καὶ ἐν ἡμέρᾳ προσευχῆς αὐτοῦ εἰσακουσθήσεται.
6He that honors his father shall have a long life; and he that is obedient to the Lord shall be a comfort to his mother.Ὁ δοξάζων πατέρα μακροημερεύσει, καὶ ὁ εἰσακούων Κυρίου ἀναπαύσει μητέρα αὐτοῦ,
7He that fears the Lord will honor his father, and will do service to his parents, as to his masters.καὶ ὡς δεσπόταις δουλεύσει ἐν τοῖς γεννήσασιν αὐτόν.
8Honor your father and mother both in word and deed, that a blessing may come upon you from them.Ἐν ἔργῳ καὶ λόγῳ τίμα τὸν πατέρα σου, ἵνα ἐπέλθῃ σοι εὐλογία παρʼ αὐτοῦ.
9For the blessing of the father establishes the houses of children; but the curse of the mother roots out foundations.Εὐλογία γὰρ πατρὸς στηρίζει οἴκους τέκνων, κατάρα δὲ μητρὸς ἐκριζοῖ θεμέλια.
10Glory not in the dishonor of your father; for your father's dishonor is no glory to you.Μὴ δοξάζου ἐν ἀτιμίᾳ πατρός σου, οὐ γάρ ἐστί σοι δόξα πατρὸς ἀτιμία.
11For the glory of a man is from the honor of his father; and a mother in dishonor is a reproach to the children.Ἡ γὰρ δόξα ἀνθρώπου ἐκ τιμῆς πατρὸς αὐτοῦ, καὶ ὄνειδος τέκνοις μήτηρ ἐν ἀδοξίᾳ.
12My son, help your father in his age, and grieve him not as long as he lives.Τέκνον, ἀντιλαβοῦ ἐν γήρᾳ πατρός σου, καὶ μὴ λυπήσῃς αὐτὸν ἐν τῇ ζωῇ αὐτοῦ.
13And if his understanding fail, have patience with him; and despise him not when you are in your full strength.Κᾂν ἀπολείπῃ σύνεσιν, συγγνώμην ἔχε, καὶ μὴ ἀτιμάσῃς αὐτὸν ἐν πάσῃ ἰσχύϊ σου.
14For the relieving of your father shall not be forgotten: and instead of sins it shall be added to build you up.Ἐλεημοσύνη γὰρ πατρὸς οὐκ ἐπιλησθήσεται, καὶ ἀντὶ ἁμαρτιῶν προσανοικοδομηθήσεταί σοι.
15In the day of your affliction it shall be remembered; your 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.
16He that forsakes his father is as a blasphemer; and he that angers his mother is cursed: of God.Ὡς βλάσφημος ὁ ἐγκαταλιπὼν πατέρα, καὶ κεκατηραμένος ὑπὸ Κυρίου ὁ παροργίζων μητέρα αὐτοῦ.
17My son, go on with your business in meekness; so shall you be beloved of him that is approved.Τέκνον, ἐν πραΰτητι τὰ ἔργα σου διέξαγε, καὶ ὑπὸ ἀνθρώπου δεκτοῦ ἀγαπηθήσῃ.
18The greater you are, the more humble yourself, and you shall find favor before the Lord.Ὅσῳ μέγας εἶ, τοσούτῳ ταπεινοῦ σεαυτὸν, καὶ ἔναντι Κυρίου εὑρήσεις χάριν.
19Many are in high place, and of renown: but mysteries are revealed to the meek.
20For the power of the Lord is great, and he is honored of the lowly.Ὅτι μεγάλη ἡ δυναστεία τοῦ Κυρίου, καὶ ὑπὸ τῶν ταπεινῶν δοξάζεται.
21Seek not out things that are too hard for you, neither search the things that are above your strength.Χαλέπωτερά σου μὴ ζήτει, καὶ ἰσχυρότερά σου μὴ ἐξέταζε,
22But what is commanded you, think thereupon with reverence, for it is not needful for you to see with your eyes the things that are in secret.ἃ προσετάγη σοι, ταῦτα διανοοῦ· οὐ γάρ ἐστί σοι χρεία τῶν κρυπτῶν.
23Be not curious in unnecessary matters: for more things are showed to you than men understand.Ἐν τοῖς περισσοῖς τῶν ἔργων σου μὴ περιεργάζου· πλείονα γὰρ συνέσεως ἀνθρώπων ὑπεδείχθη σοι.
24For many are deceived by their own vain opinion; and an evil suspicion has overthrown their judgment.Πολλοὺς γὰρ ἐπλάνησεν ἡ ὑπόληψις αὐτῶν, καὶ ὑπόνοια πονηρὰ ὠλίσθησε διανοίας αὐτῶν.
25Without eyes you shall lack light: profess not the knowledge therefore that you have not.
26A stubborn heart shall fare evil at the last; and he that loves danger shall perish therein.Καὶ ὁ ἀγαπῶν κίνδυνον, ἐν αὐτῷ ἐμπεσεῖται· καρδία σκληρὰ κακωθήσεται ἐπʼ ἐσχάτων.
27An 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.
28In the punishment of the proud there is no remedy; for the plant of wickedness has taken root in him.Ἐπαγωγὴ ὑπερηφάνου οὐκ ἔστιν ἴασις, φυτὸν γὰρ πονηρίας ἐῤῥίζωκεν ἐν αὐτῷ·
29The 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.
30Water will quench a flaming fire; and alms makes an atonement for sins.Πῦρ φλογιζόμενον ἀποσβέσει ὕδωρ, καὶ ἐλεημοσύνη ἐξιλάσεται ἁμαρτίας.
31And he that requites good turns is mindful of that which may come hereafter; and when he falls, he shall find a stay.Ὁ ἀνταποδιδοὺς χάριτας μέμνηται εἰς τὰ μετὰ ταῦτα, καὶ ἐν καιρῷ πτώσεως εὑρήσει στήριγμα.
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