DEUT172 It was taught: R. Yaakov says: There is no reward for a mitzvah in this world, there being no mitzvah in the Torah whose reward is made explicit, which is not dependent upon the resurrection [i.e., the world to come]. In respect to the honoring of parents it is written: "so that your days be lengthened, and so that it be good for you." In respect to the mitzvah of sending away the mother bird, it is written (Deuteronomy 22:7): "so that it be good for you and your days be lengthened." Now in the instance of one who was told by his father: "Go up to that promontory and bring me some pigeons," and who, accordingly, went up and sent away the mother bird and took the fledglings [as per the mitzvah], and yet, upon returning, fell and was killed -- where is his good and his length of days! It must be, then, [that this verse is to be understood as]: "So that it be good for you" -- in the world that is entirely good [i.e., the world to come]; and: "so that your days be lengthened" -- in the world that is entirely long [i.e., eternal] (Kiddushin 39b)