The Book of Sirach (or Ecclesiasticus) [The Wisdom of Jesus the Son of Sirach, or Ecclesiasticus]
Project Gutenberg EPUB edition
Anonymous
25:11 But the love of the Lord passeth all things for illumination: he that holdeth it, whereto shall he be likened?
25:12 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of his love: and faith is the beginning of cleaving unto him.
25:13 [Give me] any plague, but the plague of the heart: and any wickedness, but the wickedness of a woman:
25:14 And any affliction, but the affliction from them that hate me: and any revenge, but the revenge of enemies.
25:15 There is no head above the head of a serpent; and there is no wrath above the wrath of an enemy.
25:16 I had rather dwell with a lion and a dragon, than to keep house with a wicked woman.
25:17 The wickedness of a woman changeth her face, and darkeneth her countenance like sackcloth.
25:18 Her husband shall sit among his neighbours; and when he heareth it shall sigh bitterly.
25:19 All wickedness is but little to the wickedness of a woman: let the portion of a sinner fall upon her.
25:20 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.
25:21 Stumble not at the beauty of a woman, and desire her not for pleasure.
25:22 A woman, if she maintain her husband, is full of anger, impudence, and much reproach.
25:23 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.
25:24 Of the woman came the beginning of sin, and through her we all die.
25:25 Give the water no passage; neither a wicked woman liberty to gad abroad.
25:26 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.
26:1 Blessed is the man that hath a virtuous wife, for the number of his days shall be double.
26:2 A virtuous woman rejoiceth her husband, and he shall fulfil the years of his life in peace.
26:3 A good wife is a good portion, which shall be given in the portion of them that fear the Lord.
26:4 Whether a man be rich or poor, if he have a good heart toward the Lord, he shall at all times rejoice with a cheerful countenance.
26:5 There be three things that mine heart feareth; and for the fourth I was sore afraid: the slander of a city, the gathering together of an unruly multitude, and a false accusation: all these are worse than death.
26:6 But a grief of heart and sorrow is a woman that is jealous over another woman, and a scourge of the tongue which communicateth with all.
26:7 An evil wife is a yoke shaken to and fro: he that hath hold of her is as though he held a scorpion.
26:8 A drunken woman and a gadder abroad causeth great anger, and she will not cover her own shame.
26:9 The whoredom of a woman may be known in her haughty looks and eyelids.
26:10 If thy daughter be shameless, keep her in straitly, lest she abuse herself through overmuch liberty.
26:11 Watch over an impudent eye: and marvel not if she trespass against thee.
26:12 She will open her mouth, as a thirsty traveller when he hath found a fountain, and drink of every water near her: by every hedge will she sit down, and open her quiver against every arrow.
26:13 The grace of a wife delighteth her husband, and her discretion will fatten his bones.
26:14 A silent and loving woman is a gift of the Lord; and there is nothing so much worth as a mind well instructed.
26:15 A shamefaced and faithful woman is a double grace, and her continent mind cannot be valued.
26:16 As the sun when it ariseth in the high heaven; so is the beauty of a good wife in the ordering of her house.
26:17 As the clear light is upon the holy candlestick; so is the beauty of the face in ripe age.
26:18 As the golden pillars are upon the sockets of silver; so are the fair feet with a constant heart.
26:19 My son, keep the flower of thine age sound; and give not thy strength to strangers.
26:20 When thou hast gotten a fruitful possession through all the field, sow it with thine own seed, trusting in the goodness of thy stock.
26:21 So thy race which thou leavest shall be magnified, having the confidence of their good descent.
26:22 An harlot shall be accounted as spittle; but a married woman is a tower against death to her husband.
26:23 A wicked woman is given as a portion to a wicked man: but a godly woman is given to him that feareth the Lord.
26:24 A dishonest woman contemneth shame: but an honest woman will reverence her husband.