Sir 25

1 In three things I was beautified, and stood up beautiful both before God and men: the unityof brethren, the love of neighbors, a man and a wife that agree together. 2 Three sorts of men my soul hates, and I am greatly offended at their life: a poor manthat is proud, a rich man that is a liar, and an old adulterer that doats. 3 If you have gathered nothing in your youth, how can you find any thing in your 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 honor. 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 willutter with my tongue: A man that has joy of his children; and he that lives to see the fall of his enemy: 8 Well is him that dwells with a wife of understanding, and that has not slipped with histongue, and that has not served a man more unworthy than himself: 9 Well is him that has found prudence, and he that speaks in the ears of them that willhear: 10 O how great is he that finds wisdom! yet is there none above him that fears the Lord. 11 But the love of the Lord passes all things for illumination: he that holds it, wheretoshall he be likened? 12 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of his love: and faith is the beginning of cleavingto him. 13 Give me any plague, but the plague of the heart: and any wickedness, but the wickedness ofa woman: 14 And any affliction, but the affliction from them that hate me: and any revenge, but therevenge of enemies. 15 There is no head above the head of a serpent; and there is no wrath above the wrath ofan 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 changes her face, and darkens her countenance like sackcloth. 18 Her husband shall sit among his neighbors; and when he hears it shall sigh bitterly. 19 All wickedness is but little to the wickedness of a woman: let the portion of a sinnerfall upon her. 20 As the climbing up a sandy way is to the feet of the aged, so is a wife full of wordsto 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 abates the courage, makes an heavy countenance and a wounded heart: awoman that will not comfort her husband in distress makes 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 you would have her, cut her off from your flesh, and give her a billof divorce, and let her go.