The ways of wisdom
2   It is the Lord's will that a father should be honoured by his children,
and a mother's rights recognized by her sons.
3   Respect for a father atones for sins,
4   and to honour your mother is to lay up a fortune.
5   A son who respects his father will be made happy by his own children;
when he prays, he will be heard.
6   He who honours his father will have a long life,
and he who obeys the Lord comforts his mother;
7   he obeys his parents as though he were their slave.
8   My son, honour your father by word and deed,
so that you may receive his blessing.
9   For a father's blessing strengthens his children's houses,
but a mother's curse uproots their foundations.
10   Never seek honour at the cost of discredit to your father;
how can his discredit bring honour to you?
11   A man is honoured if his father is honoured,
and neglect of a mother is a disgrace to children.
12   My son, look after your father in his old age;
do nothing to vex him as long as he lives.
13   Even if his mind fails, make allowances for him,
and do not despise him because you are in your prime.
14   If you support your father it will never be forgotten,
but be put to your credit against your sins;
15   when you are in trouble, it will be remembered in your favour,
and your sins will melt away like frost in the sunshine.
16   To leave your father in the lurch is like blasphemy,
and to provoke your mother's anger is to call down the Lord's curse.


17   My son, be unassuming in all you do,
and those the Lord approves will love you.
18   The greater you are, the humbler you must be,
and the Lord will show you favour. ^note
20   For his power is great,
and he is honoured by the humble.
21   Do not pry into things too hard for you
or examine what is beyond your reach.
22   Meditate on the commandments you have been given;

The ways of wisdom
what the Lord keeps secret is no concern of yours.
23   Do not busy yourself with matters that are beyond you;
even what has been shown you is above man's grasp.
24   Many have been led astray by their speculations,
and false conjectures have impaired their judgement. ^note


26   Stubbornness will come to a bad end,
and the man who flirts with danger will lose his life.
27   Stubbornness brings a load of troubles;
the sinner piles sin on sin.
28   When calamity befalls the arrogant, there is no cure;
wickedness is too deeply rooted in him.


29   A sensible man will take a proverb to heart;
an attentive ear is the desire of the wise.
30   As water quenches a blazing fire,
so almsgiving atones for sin.
31   He who repays a good turn is mindful of the future;
when he falls he will find support.

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