3 1 Students, I have been like a father to you, and you will be safe if you do what I say. 2 The Lord has told children to honor and obey their parents. 3 If you honor your father, your sins will be forgiven; 4 show respect to your mother, and you will be truly rich. 5 Honor your father— then your own children will make you happy, and God will hear them when they pray. 6 If you want to live a long time, then you must obey the Lord by respecting your parents; 7 serve them as if you were their slave. 8 with respect and do what he asks, he will bless you, 9 and your own family will have success. But if your mother places a curse on you, your family will face ruin. 10 You cannot get respect by disgracing your parents. 11 What brings honor to them also brings honor to you. 12 Help your father as he grows old; try not to upset him. 13 And when you are strong, but his mind is fading, don't make fun— instead, be patient. 14 God sees your kindness, and right away, some of your sins will be forgiven. 15 And if you later have troubles because of your sins, they will all melt away in the warmth of your kindness, like frost in the sunshine. 16 But abandoning your father or making your mother angry is as bad as cursing the Lord, and so he will curse you.

Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version ®. Copyright © 1995 American Bible Society. Used by permission.