Common English Bible

Sirach 7:23-35 Common English Bible (CEB)

23. Do you have children? Instruct them.Train them to be obedientfrom their youth.

24. Do you have daughters?Be attentive to their chastity,and don’t be too cheerful with them.

25. Give a daughter in marriage,and you will have completed a great deed,but present herto an understanding husband.

26. Do you have a wife who is a soul mate?Don’t divorce her,and don’t trust yourself to a womanwhom you hate.

27. Honor your father with all your heart,and don’t forgetyour mother’s labor pains.

28. Remember that you were bornbecause of your parents.How will you pay them backfor what they have done for you?

29. Revere the Lord with your whole being,and honor his priests.

30. With all your mightlove the one who made you,and don’t neglect his ministers.

31. Fear the Lord and honor the priest.Give the priest his portion,just as you were commanded:early produce, a sin offering,the gift of the shoulders,the dedicatory offering,and the early producefrom the holy things.

32. Extend your hand to the poorso that your blessing may be complete.

33. The kindness of a giftstands before all who are alive;moreover, don’t withhold kindnessfrom the dead.

34. Walk beside those who weep,and mourn with those who mourn.

35. Don’t hesitate to visit the sick,because you will be lovedon account of these acts.