The Wisdom of Jesus the Son of Sirach, or Ecclesiasticus 25

¹ In three things I was beautified and stood up beautiful both before God and men the unity of brethren the love of neighbours a man and a wife that agree together ⚑

² Three sorts of men my soul hateth and I am greatly offended at their life a poor man that is proud a rich man that is a liar and an old adulterer that doateth ⚑

³ If thou hast gathered nothing in thy youth how canst thou find any thing in thine age ⚑

⁴ O how comely a thing is judgment for gray hairs and for ancient men to know counsel ⚑

⁵ O how comely is the wisdom of old men and understanding and counsel to men of honour ⚑

⁶ Much experience is the crown of old men and the fear of God is their glory ⚑

⁷ There be nine things which I have judged in mine heart to be happy and the tenth I will utter with my tongue A man that hath joy of his children and he that liveth to see the fall of his enemy ⚑

⁸ Well is him that dwelleth with a wife of understanding and that hath not slipped with his tongue and that hath not served a man more unworthy than himself ⚑

⁹ Well is him that hath found prudence and he that speaketh in the ears of them that will hear ⚑

¹⁰ O how great is he that findeth wisdom yet is there none above him that feareth the Lord ⚑

¹¹ But the love of the Lord passeth all things for illumination he that holdeth it whereto shall he be likened ⚑

¹² The fear of the Lord is the beginning of his love and faith is the beginning of cleaving unto him ⚑

¹³ Give me any plague but the plague of the heart and any wickedness but the wickedness of a woman ⚑

¹⁴ And any affliction but the affliction from them that hate me and any revenge but the revenge of enemies ⚑

¹⁵ There is no head above the head of a serpent and there is no wrath above the wrath of an enemy ⚑

¹⁶ I had rather dwell with a lion and a dragon than to keep house with a wicked woman ⚑

¹⁷ The wickedness of a woman changeth her face and darkeneth her countenance like sackcloth ⚑

¹⁸ Her husband shall sit among his neighbours and when he heareth it shall sigh bitterly ⚑

¹⁹ All wickedness is but little to the wickedness of a woman let the portion of a sinner fall upon her ⚑

²⁰ As the climbing up a sandy way is to the feet of the aged so is a wife full of words to a quiet man ⚑

²¹ Stumble not at the beauty of a woman and desire her not for pleasure ⚑

²² A woman if she maintain her husband is full of anger impudence and much reproach ⚑

²³ A wicked woman abateth the courage maketh an heavy countenance and a wounded heart a woman that will not comfort her husband in distress maketh weak hands and feeble knees ⚑

²⁴ Of the woman came the beginning of sin and through her we all die ⚑

²⁵ Give the water no passage neither a wicked woman liberty to gad abroad ⚑

²⁶ If she go not as thou wouldest have her cut her off from thy flesh and give her a bill of divorce and let her go ⚑