1Listen to me your father, O children;

act accordingly, that you may be safe.

2For the Lord honors a father above his children,

and he confirms a mother’s judgment over her sons.*

3Those who honor their father atone for sins,*

4and those who respect their mother are like those who lay up treasure.*

5Those who honor their father will have joy in their children,

and when they pray they will be heard.

6Those who respect their father will have long life,

and those who honort their mother obey the Lord;u^,*

7they will serve their parents as their masters.v^,*

8Honor your father by word and deed,

that his blessing may come upon you.*

9For a father’s blessing strengthens the houses of the children,

but a mother’s curse uproots their foundations.*

10Do not glorify yourself by your father’s dishonor,

for your father’s dishonor is no glory to you.

11The honor of one’s father is one’s own glory,

and a mother dishonored is a disgrace to her children.*

12My child, help your father in his old age,

and do not grieve him as long as he lives;*

13even if his mind fails, be patient with him;

do not despise him because you have all your faculties.

14For kindness to a father will not be forgotten

and will be credited to you against your sins;*

15in the day of your distress it will be remembered in your favor;

like frost in fair weather, your sins will melt away.

16Whoever forsakes a father is like a blasphemer,

and whoever angers a mother is cursed by the Lord.*

17My child, perform your tasks with humility;

then you will be loved more than a giver of gifts.w

18The greater you are, the more you must humble yourself;

so you will find favor in the sight of the Lord.x^,*

20For great is the might of the Lord,

but by the humble he is glorified.

21Neither seek what is too difficult for you

nor investigate what is beyond your power.*

22Reflect upon what you have been commanded,

for what is hidden is not your concern.*

23In matters greater than your own affairs, do not meddle,

for things beyond human understanding have been shown you.*

24For their conceit has led many astray,

and wrong opinion has impaired their judgment.*

25Without eyes there is no light;

without knowledge there is no wisdom.y

26A stubborn mind will fare badly at the end,

and whoever loves danger will perish in it.

27A stubborn mind will be burdened by troubles,

and the sinner adds sin to sins.*

28When calamity befalls the proud, there is no healing,

for an evil plant has taken root in him.*

29The mind of the intelligent appreciates proverbs,

and an attentive ear is the desire of the wise.*

30As water extinguishes a blazing fire,

so almsgiving atones for sin.*

31Those who repay favors give thought to the future;

when they fall they will find support.*