English Bible
Sirach 25
Big screen- 1In three things I was beautified, and stood up beautiful both before God and men: the unity of brethren, the love of neighbors, a man and a wife that agree together.
- 2Three sorts of men my soul hates, 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 doats.
- 3If you have gathered nothing in your youth, how can you find any thing in your age?
- 4O how comely a thing is judgment for gray hairs, and for ancient men to know counsel!
- 5O how comely is the wisdom of old men, and understanding and counsel to men of honor.
- 6Much experience is the crown of old men, and the fear of God is their glory.
- 7There be nine things which I have judged in my heart to be happy, and the tenth I will utter with my tongue: A man that has joy of his children; and he that lives to see the fall of his enemy:
- 8Well is him that dwells with a wife of understanding, and that has not slipped with his tongue, and that has not served a man more unworthy than himself:
- 9Well is him that has found prudence, and he that speaks in the ears of them that will hear:
- 10O how great is he that finds wisdom! yet is there none above him that fears the Lord.
- 11But the love of the Lord passes all things for illumination: he that holds it, whereto shall he be likened?
- 12The fear of the Lord is the beginning of his love: and faith is the beginning of cleaving to him.
- 13Give me any plague, but the plague of the heart: and any wickedness, but the wickedness of a woman:
- 14And any affliction, but the affliction from them that hate me: and any revenge, but the revenge of enemies.
- 15There is no head above the head of a serpent; and there is no wrath above the wrath of an enemy.
- 16I had rather dwell with a lion and a dragon, than to keep house with a wicked woman.
- 17The wickedness of a woman changes her face, and darkens her countenance like sackcloth.
- 18Her husband shall sit among his neighbors; and when he hears it shall sigh bitterly.
- 19All wickedness is but little to the wickedness of a woman: let the portion of a sinner fall upon her.
- 20As the climbing up a sandy way is to the feet of the aged, so is a wife full of words to a quiet man.
- 21Stumble not at the beauty of a woman, and desire her not for pleasure.
- 22A woman, if she maintain her husband, is full of anger, impudence, and much reproach.
- 23A wicked woman abates the courage, makes an heavy countenance and a wounded heart: a woman that will not comfort her husband in distress makes weak hands and feeble knees.
- 24Of the woman came the beginning of sin, and through her we all die.
- 25Give the water no passage; neither a wicked woman liberty to gad abroad.
- 26If she go not as you would have her, cut her off from your flesh, and give her a bill of divorce, and let her go.