16.  The first virtue of godliness in Christians is to honour their parents, to requite the troubles of those who begat them Compare for the thought Euripides, Medea, 1029–1035., and with all their might to confer on them what tends to their comfort (for if we should repay them ever so much, yet we shall never be able to return their gift of life ἀντιγεννῆσαι.  Jeremy Taylor (Ductor Dubitantium, Book III. cap. ii. §17) mentions several stories in which a parent is nourished from a daughter’s breast, who thus ‘saves the life she cannot give.’), that they also may enjoy the comfort provided by us, and may confirm us in those blessings which Jacob the supplanter shrewdly seized; and that our Father in heaven may accept On the change of Moods, see Jelf, Greek Grammar, § 809.  The second verb (καταξίωσειεν) expresses a wish and a consequence which might follow, if the first (στηρίξωσιν) wish be realized, as it probably may be.  Cf. Herod. ix. 51. our good purpose, and judge us worthy to shine amid righteous as the sun in the kingdom of our Father Matt. xiii. 43.:  To whom be the glory, with the Only-begotten our Saviour Jesus Christ, and with the Holy and Life-giving Spirit, now and ever, to all eternity.  Amen.