Sirach 25

KING JAMES BIBLE	DOUAI-RHEIMS
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.	1 With three things my spirit is pleased, which are approved before God and men:
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.	2 The concord of brethren, and the love of neighbours, and mall and wife that agree well together.
3 If thou hast gathered nothing in thy youth, how canst thou find any thing in thine age?	3 Three sorts my soul hateth, and I am greatly grieved at their life:
4 O how comely a thing is judgment for gray hairs, and for ancient men to know counsel!	4 A poor man that is proud: a rich man that is a liar: an old man that is a fool, and doting.
5 O how comely is the wisdom of old men, and understanding and counsel to men of honour.	5 The things that thou hast not gathered in thy youth, how shalt thou find them in thy old age?
6 Much experience is the crown of old men, and the fear of God is their glory.	6 O how comely is judgment for a grey head, and for ancients to know counsel!
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:	7 O how comely is wisdom for the aged, and understanding and counsel to men of honour!
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:	8 Much experience is the crown of old men, and the fear of God is their glory.
9 Well is him that hath found prudence, and he that speaketh in the ears of them that will hear:	9 Nine things that are not to be imagined by the heart have I magnified, and the tenth I will utter to men with my tongue.
10 O how great is he that findeth wisdom! yet is there none above him that feareth the Lord.	10 A man that hath joy of his children: and he that liveth and seeth the fall of his enemies.
11 But the love of the Lord passeth all things for illumination: he that holdeth it, whereto shall he be likened?	11 Blessed is he. that dwelleth with a wise woman, and that hath not slipped with his tongue, and that hath not served such as are unworthy of him.
12 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of his love: and faith is the beginning of cleaving unto him.	12 Blessed is he that findeth a true friend, and that declareth justice to an ear that heareth.
13 [Give me] any plague, but the plague of the heart: and any wickedness, but the wickedness of a woman:	13 How great is he that findeth wisdom and knowledge! but there is none above him that feareth the Lord.
14 And any affliction, but the affliction from them that hate me: and any revenge, but the revenge of enemies.	14 The fear of God hath set itself above all things:
15 There is no head above the head of a serpent; and there is no wrath above the wrath of an enemy.	15 Blessed is the man, to whom it is given to have the fear of God: he that holdeth it, to whom shall he be likened?
16 I had rather dwell with a lion and a dragon, than to keep house with a wicked woman.	16 The fear of God is the beginning of his love: and the beginning of faith is to be fast joined unto it.
17 The wickedness of a woman changeth her face, and darkeneth her countenance like sackcloth.	17 The sadness of the heart is every plague: and the wickedness of a woman is all evil.
18 Her husband shall sit among his neighbours; and when he heareth it shall sigh bitterly.	18 And a man will choose any plague, but the plague of the heart:
19 All wickedness is but little to the wickedness of a woman: let the portion of a sinner fall upon her.	19 And ally wickedness, but the wickedness of a woman:
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.	20 And any affliction, but the affliction from them that hate him:
21 Stumble not at the beauty of a woman, and desire her not for pleasure.	21 And ally revenge, but the revenge of enemies.
22 A woman, if she maintain her husband, is full of anger, impudence, and much reproach.	22 There is no head worse than the head of a serpent:
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.	23 And there is no anger above the anger of a woman. It will be more agreeable to abide with a lion and a dragon, than to dwell with a wicked woman.
24 Of the woman came the beginning of sin, and through her we all die.	24 The wickedness of a woman changeth her face: and she darkeneth her countenance as a bear: and sheweth it like sackcloth. In the midst of her neighbours,
25 Give the water no passage; neither a wicked woman liberty to gad abroad.	25 Her husband groaned, and hearing he sighed a little.
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 All malice is shore to the malice of a woman, let the lot of sinners fall upon her.
	27 As the climbing of a sandy way is to the feet of the aged, so is a wife full of tongue to a quiet man.
	28 Look not upon a woman's beauty, and desire not a woman for beauty.
	29 A woman's anger, and impudence, and confusion is great.
	30 A woman, if she have superiority, is contrary to her husband.
	31 A wicked woman abateth the courage, and maketh a heavy countenance, and a wounded heart.
	32 Feeble hands, and disjointed knees, a woman that doth not make her husband happy.
	33 From the woman came the beginning of sin, and by her we all die.
	34 Give no issue to thy water, no, not a little: nor to a wicked woman liberty to gad abroad.
	35 If she walk not at thy hand, she will confound thee in the sight of thy enemies.
	36 Cut her off from thy flesh, lest she always abuse thee.