Behold, in this manner we would have had a godly child properly
taught, reared in true blessedness, and kept at home in obedience to
his parents and in their service, so that men should have had blessing
and joy from the spectacle. However, God's commandment was not
permitted to be thus [with such care and diligence] commended, but had
to be neglected and trampled under foot, so that a child could not lay
it to heart, and meanwhile gaped [like a panting wolf] at the devices
which we set up, without once [consulting or] giving reverence to God.

Let us, therefore, learn at last, for God's sake, that, placing all
other things out of sight, our youths look first to this commandment,
if they wish to serve God with truly good works, that they do what is
pleasing to their fathers and mothers, or to those to whom they may be
subject in their stead. For every child that knows and does this has,
in the first place, this great consolation in his heart that he can
joyfully say and boast (in spite of and against all who are occupied
with works of their own choice): "Behold, this work is well pleasing to
my God in heaven that I know for certain." Let them all come together
with their many great, distressing, and difficult works and make their
boast, we will see whether they can show one that is greater and
nobler than obedience to father and mother, to whom God has appointed
and commanded obedience next to His own majesty; so that if God's Word
and will are in force and being accomplished nothing shall be esteemed
higher than the will and word of parents; yet so that it, too, is
subordinated to obedience toward God and is not opposed to the
preceding commandments.

Therefore you should be heartily glad and thank God that He has chosen
you and made you worthy to do a work so precious and pleasing to Him.
Only see that, although it be regarded as the most humble and despised