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The Book of Jesus Sirach

⭑ World English Bible Catholic :: King James Version ⭑

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- Chapter 25 -

Documents of wisdom on several subjects.

1
I enjoy three things, and they are beautiful before the Lord and men: the agreement of kindred, the friendship of neighbors, and a woman and her husband who walk together in agreement.
2
But my soul hates three sorts of people, and I am greatly offended at their life: a poor man who is arrogant, a rich man who is a liar, and an old fool who is an adulterer.
3
If you gathered nothing in your youth, how could you find anything in your old age?
4
How beautiful a thing is judgment in the gray-haired, and for elders to know good counsel!
5
How beautiful is the wisdom of old men, and understanding and counsel to men who are in honor!
6
Much experience is the crown of the aged. Their glory is the fear of the Lord.
7
There are nine things that I have thought of, and in my heart counted happy, and the tenth I will utter with my tongue: a man who has joy with his children, and a man who lives and sees the fall of his enemies.
8
Happy is he who dwells with a wife of understanding, he who has not slipped with his tongue, and he who has not served a man who is unworthy of him.
9
Happy is he who has found prudence, and he who speaks in the ears of those who listen.
10
How great is he who has found wisdom! Yet is there none above him who fears the Lord.
11
The fear of the Lord surpasses all things. To whom shall he who holds it be likened?
12
(a)
13
Any wound but a wound of the heart! Any wickedness but the wickedness of a woman!
14
Any calamity but a calamity from those who hate me! Any vengeance but the vengeance of enemies!
15
There is no venom worse than a snake’s venom. There is no wrath worse than an enemy’s wrath.
16
I would rather dwell with a lion and a dragon than keep house with a wicked woman.
17
The wickedness of a woman changes her appearance, and darkens her countenance like that of a bear.
18
Her husband will sit among his neighbors, and when he hears it, he sighs bitterly.
19
All malice is small compared to the malice of a woman. Let the portion of a sinner fall on her.
20
As walking up a sandy hill is to the feet of the aged, so is a wife full of words to a quiet man.
21
Don’t be ensnared by a woman’s beauty. Don’t desire a woman for her beauty.
22
There is anger, impudence, and great reproach if a woman supports her husband.
23
A wicked woman is abasement of heart, sadness of countenance, and a wounded heart. A woman who won’t make her husband happy is like hands that hang down, and weak knees.
24
The beginning of sin came from a woman. Because of her, we all die.
25
Don’t give water an outlet, and don’t give a wicked woman freedom of speech.
26
If she doesn’t go as you direct, cut her away from your flesh.(b)

Footnotes

(a)25:12 Verse 12 is omitted by the best authorities.
(b)25:26 The remainder of this verse is omitted by the best authorities.

Documents of wisdom on several subjects.

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.
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