Chapter 4: Ecclesiasticus
DOUAY RHEIMS BIBLE
THE CHALLONER REVISION
ECCLESIASTICUS
CHAPTER 4
Lessons concerning the honour of parents, and humility, and avoiding curiosity.
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HE sons of wisdom are the church of the just: and their generation, obedience and love.
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Children, hear the judgment of your father, and so do that you may be saved.
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For God hath made the father honourable to the children: and seeking the judgment of the mothers, hath confirmed it upon the children.
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He that loveth God, shall obtain pardon for his sins by prayer, and shall refrain himself from them, and shall be heard in the prayer of days.
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And he that honoureth his mother is as one that layeth up a treasure.
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He that honoureth his father shall have joy in his own children, and in the day of his prayer he shall be heard.
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He that honoureth his father shall enjoy a long life: and he that obeyeth the father, shall be a comfort to his mother.
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He that feareth the Lord, honoureth his parents, and will serve them as his masters that brought him into the world.
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Honour thy father, in work and word, and all patience,
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That a blessing may come upon thee from him, and his blessing may remain in the latter end.
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The father's blessing establisheth the houses of the children: but the mother's curse rooteth up the foundation.
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Glory not in the dishonour of thy father: for his shame is no glory to thee.
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For the glory of a man is from the honour of his father, and a father without honour is the disgrace of the son.
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Son, support the old age of thy father, and grieve him not in his life;
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And if his understanding fail, have patience with him, and despise him not when thou art in thy strength: for the relieving of the father shall not be forgotten.
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For good shall be repaid to thee for the sin of thy mother.
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And in justice thou shalt be built up, and in the day of affliction thou shalt be remembered: and thy sins shall melt away as the ice in the fair warm weather.
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Of what an evil fame is he that forsaketh his father: and he is cursed of God that angereth his mother.
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My son, do thy works in meekness, and thou shalt be beloved above the glory of men.
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The greater thou art, the more humble thyself in all things, and thou shalt find grace before God:
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For great is the power of God alone, and he is honoured by the humble.
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Seek not the things that are too high for thee, and search not into things above thy ability: but the things that God hath commanded thee, think on them always, and in many of his works be not curious.
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For it is not necessary for thee to see with thy eyes those things that are hid.
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In unnecessary matters be not over curious, and in many of his works thou shalt not be inquisitive.
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For many things are shewn to thee above the understanding of men.
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And the suspicion of them hath deceived many, and hath detained their minds in vanity.
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A hard heart shall fear evil at the last: and he that loveth danger shall perish in it.
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A heart that goeth two ways shall not have success, and the perverse of heart shall be scandalized therein.
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A wicked heart shall be laden with sorrows, and the sinner will add sin to sin.
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The congregation of the proud shall not be healed: for the plant of wickedness shall take root in them, and it shall not be perceived.
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The heart of the wise is understood in wisdom, and a good ear will hear wisdom with all desire.
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A wise heart, and which hath understanding, will abstain from sins, and in the works of justice shall have success.
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Water quencheth a flaming fire, and alms resisteth sins:
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And God provideth for him that sheweth favour: he remembereth him afterwards, and in the time of his fall he shall find a sure stay.