Anonymous (Septuagint) · a new plain-English translation from the original language
1| Listen to me, your father, children, and act accordingly, so that you may be kept safe.
2| For the Lord has given a father glory over his children, and has confirmed a mother's authority over her sons.
3| Whoever honors his father atones for his sins,
4| and whoever glorifies his mother is like one storing up treasure.
5| Whoever honors his father will find joy in his own children, and like one storing up treasure is he who glorifies his mother; and on the day of his prayer he will be heard.
6| Whoever glorifies his father will live a long life, and whoever listens to the Lord will bring rest to his mother,
7| and will serve his parents as he would serve masters.
8| In deed and in word honor your father, so that a blessing from him may come upon you;
9| for a father's blessing establishes the houses of children, but a mother's curse uproots their foundations.
10| Do not glorify yourself by dishonoring your father, for his dishonor is no glory to you;
11| for a man's glory comes from the honor of his father, and a mother in disgrace is a reproach to her children.
12| Child, support your father in his old age, and do not grieve him as long as he lives;
13| and even if his mind fails, be forbearing, and do not despise him while you are in your full strength.
14| For kindness shown to a father will not be forgotten, and will be credited against your sins to build you up;
15| in the day of your affliction it will be remembered on your behalf; as fair weather melts frost, so will your sins be dissolved.
16| Whoever abandons his father is like a blasphemer, and whoever provokes his mother is accursed by the Lord.
17| Child, carry on your affairs with gentleness, and you will be loved by those who are acceptable to God.
18| The greater you are, the more you should humble yourself, and you will find favor before the Lord;
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20| for great is the power of the Lord, and he is glorified by the humble.
21| Do not seek out what is too difficult for you, and do not investigate what is beyond your strength.
22| Reflect on what you have been commanded, for you have no need of hidden things.
23| Do not busy yourself with matters too great for you, for more than human understanding has already been shown to you.
24| For their own presumption has led many astray, and evil suspicion has made their minds slip.
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26| And whoever loves danger will fall into it; a stubborn heart will fare badly in the end, a stubborn heart will be weighed down in the end.
27| A stubborn heart will be weighed down with troubles, and the sinner will add sin upon sin.
28| For the affliction of the proud there is no healing, for a plant of wickedness has taken root in him.
29| The heart of the discerning will ponder a parable, and the ear that listens is the desire of the wise.
30| Water will quench a blazing fire, and almsgiving will atone for sins.
31| Whoever repays kindness remembers it in time to come, and at the moment of his falling he will find support.