The Wisdom of Jesus the Son of Sirach — Ecclesiasticus

chapter 25


Chapters:


verse #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.


verse #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.


verse #3

If you gathered nothing in your youth, how could you find anything in your old age?


verse #4

How beautiful a thing is judgment in the gray-haired, and for elders to know good counsel!


verse #5

How beautiful is the wisdom of old men, and understanding and counsel to men who are in honor!


verse #6

Much experience is the crown of the aged. Their glory is the fear of the Lord.


verse #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.


verse #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.


verse #9

Happy is he who has found prudence, and he who speaks in the ears of those who listen.


verse #10

How great is he who has found wisdom! Yet is there none above him who fears the Lord.


verse #11

The fear of the Lord surpasses all things. To whom shall he who holds it be likened?


verse #12

Any wound but a wound of the heart! Any wickedness but the wickedness of a woman!


verse #13

Any calamity but a calamity from those who hate me! Any vengeance but the vengeance of enemies!


verse #14

There is no venom worse than a snake’s venom. There is no wrath worse than an enemy’s wrath.


verse #15

I would rather dwell with a lion and a dragon than keep house with a wicked woman.


verse #16

The wickedness of a woman changes her appearance, and darkens her countenance like that of a bear.


verse #17

Her husband will sit among his neighbors, and when he hears it, he sighs bitterly.


verse #18

All malice is small compared to the malice of a woman. Let the portion of a sinner fall on her.


verse #19

As walking up a sandy hill is to the feet of the aged, so is a wife full of words to a quiet man.


verse #20

Don’t be ensnared by a woman’s beauty. Don’t desire a woman for her beauty.


verse #21

There is anger, impudence, and great reproach if a woman supports her husband.


verse #22

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.


verse #23

The beginning of sin came from a woman. Because of her, we all die.


verse #24

Don’t give water an outlet, and don’t give a wicked woman freedom of speech.


verse #25

If she doesn’t go as you direct, cut her away from your flesh.

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