He found out that Jacob had obeyed his father and mother and had gone to Mesopotamia.

Jacob said to Joseph, "I want you to go to Shechem, where your brothers are taking care of the flock." Joseph answered, "I am ready."

Each of you must respect your mother and your father, and must keep the Sabbath, as I have commanded. I am the LORD your God.

"Suppose someone has a son who is stubborn and rebellious, a son who will not obey his parents, even though they punish him.

David got up early the next morning, left someone else in charge of the sheep, took the food, and went as Jesse had told him to. He arrived at the camp just as the Israelites were going out to their battle line, shouting the war cry.

As for Esther, she had still not let it be known that she was Jewish. Mordecai had told her not to tell anyone, and she obeyed him in this, just as she had obeyed him when she was a little girl under his care.

My child, pay attention to what your father and mother tell you.

Son, do what your father tells you and never forget what your mother taught you.

Listen to your father; without him you would not exist. When your mother is old, show her your appreciation.

There are people who curse their fathers and do not show their appreciation for their mothers.

If you make fun of your father or despise your mother in her old age, you ought to be eaten by vultures or have your eyes picked out by wild ravens.

Jonadab's descendants have obeyed his command not to drink wine, and to this very day none of them drink any. But I have kept on speaking to you, and you have not obeyed me.

So Jesus went back with them to Nazareth, where he was obedient to them. His mother treasured all these things in her heart.

Children, it is your Christian duty to obey your parents always, for that is what pleases God.

Slaves, obey your human masters in all things, not only when they are watching you because you want to gain their approval; but do it with a sincere heart because of your reverence for the Lord.

Remember that the Lord will give you as a reward what he has kept for his people. For Christ is the real Master you serve.

Slaves, obey your human masters with fear and trembling; and do it with a sincere heart, as though you were serving Christ.

Do this not only when they are watching you, because you want to gain their approval; but with all your heart do what God wants, as slaves of Christ.

Receive her in the Lord's name, as God's people should, and give her any help she may need from you; for she herself has been a good friend to many people and also to me.

So then, my dear friends, stand firm and steady. Keep busy always in your work for the Lord, since you know that nothing you do in the Lord's service is ever useless.

Christ's message in all its richness must live in your hearts. Teach and instruct one another with all wisdom. Sing psalms, hymns, and sacred songs; sing to God with thanksgiving in your hearts.

Everything you do or say, then, should be done in the name of the Lord Jesus, as you give thanks through him to God the Father.

Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as though you were working for the Lord and not for people.

Remember that the Lord will give you as a reward what he has kept for his people. For Christ is the real Master you serve.

For the sake of the Lord submit yourselves to every human authority: to the Emperor, who is the supreme authority,

At Mount Sinai you came down from heaven; you spoke to your people and gave them good laws and sound teachings.

Each one will say in public, "I have sinned. I have not done right, but God spared me.

The laws of the LORD are right, and those who obey them are happy. The commands of the LORD are just and give understanding to the mind.

I know that your judgments are righteous, LORD, and that you punished me because you are faithful.

And so I follow all your instructions; I hate all wrong ways.

May those who are wise understand what is written here, and may they take it to heart. The LORD's ways are right, and righteous people live by following them, but sinners stumble and fall because they ignore them.

So then, the Law itself is holy, and the commandment is holy, right, and good.

Do not conform yourselves to the standards of this world, but let God transform you inwardly by a complete change of your mind. Then you will be able to know the will of God---what is good and is pleasing to him and is perfect.

But if a widow has children or grandchildren, they should learn first to carry out their religious duties toward their own family and in this way repay their parents and grandparents, because that is what pleases God.