Shirach — 3

Duties toward Parents

1 Listen to me your father, O children;  and act accordingly, that you may be kept in safety.

2 For 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄_YAHUAH honored the father above the children, and  𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄_YAHUAH confirmed the right of the mother over her sons.

3 Whoever honors his father atones for sins,

4 and whoever esteem his mother is like one who lays up treasure.

5 Whoever honors his father will be gladdened by his own children, and when he prays he will be heard.

6 Whoever Esteemed his father will have long life, and whoever obeys  𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄_YAHUAH will refresh his mother;

7  he will serve his parents as his masters.

8 Honor your father by word and deed, that a Barakah from your father may come upon you.

9 For a father’s Barakah strengthens the houses of the children but a mother’s curse uproots their foundations.

10 Do not esteem yourself by dishonoring your father, for your father’s dishonor is no esteem to you.

11 For a man’s Kabad comes from honoring his father and it is shameful for children not to respect their mother.

12 O son, help your father in his old age and do not grieve him as long as he lives;

13 even if he is lacking in understanding, show forbearance; in all your strength do not despise your father.

14 For kindness to a father will not be forgotten, and against your sins it will be credited to you;

15 in the day of your affliction it will be remembered in your favor; as frost in fair weather, your sins will melt away.

16 Whoever forsakes his father is like a blasphemer, and whoever angers his mother is cursed by 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄_YAHUAH.

Humility

17 My son, perform your tasks in meekness; then you will be loved by those whom 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄_YAHUAH accepts.

18 The greater you are, the more you must humble yourself; so you will find favor in the sight of 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄_YAHUAH.

20 For great is the might of  𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄_YAHUAH, He is Esteemed by the humble.

21 Seek not what is too difficult for you, nor investigate what is beyond your power.

22 Reflect upon what has been assigned to you, for you do not need what is hidden.

23 Do not meddle in what is beyond your tasks, for matters too great for man's understanding have been shown you.

24 For their hasty judgment has led many astray, and wrong opinion has caused their thoughts to slip.

26 A stubborn mind will be afflicted at the end, and whoever loves danger will perish by it.

27 A stubborn mind will be burdened by troubles, and the sinner will heap sin upon sin.

28 The affliction of the proud has no healing, for a plant of wickedness has taken root in him.

29 The mind of the intelligent man will ponder a parable, and an attentive ear is the wise man’s desire.

Alms for the Poor

30 Water extinguishes a blazing fire: so alms giving atones for sin.

31 Whoever requires favors gives thought to the future; at the moment of his falling he will find support.