Sirach 25

KING JAMES BIBLE	CATHOLIC PUBLIC DOMAIN
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 My spirit is pleased with three things; these are approved in the sight of 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 harmony of brothers, and the love of neighbors, and a husband and wife agreeing well together.
3 If thou hast gathered nothing in thy youth, how canst thou find any thing in thine age?	3 My soul hates three kinds of things; and I am greatly distressed over their souls:
4 O how comely a thing is judgment for gray hairs, and for ancient men to know counsel!	4 an arrogant pauper, a wealthy liar, a foolish and senseless elder.
5 O how comely is the wisdom of old men, and understanding and counsel to men of honour.	5 The things that you have not obtained in your youth, how will you find them in your old age?
6 Much experience is the crown of old men, and the fear of God is their glory.	6 How beautiful it is for a grey head to have judgment, and for elders 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 How beautiful it is for those who are aged to have wisdom, and for those who are honored to have understanding and counsel!
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 Great experience is the crown of the aged, 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 I have magnified nine things, overlooked by the heart; and a tenth, I will declare 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 who finds joy in his children, and one who lives to see the undoing 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 who lives with a wise wife, and he who has not slipped with his tongue, and he who has not served those unworthy of himself.
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 who finds a true friend, and he who describes justice to an attentive ear.
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 who finds wisdom and knowledge! But there is no one above him who fears 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 has 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 has been given to have the fear of God. He who holds to it, to whom can he be compared?
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 has been joined closely to the same.
17 The wickedness of a woman changeth her face, and darkeneth her countenance like sackcloth.	17 The sadness of the heart is every wound. And the wickedness of a wife is every malice.
18 Her husband shall sit among his neighbours; and when he heareth it shall sigh bitterly.	18 And a man will choose any wound, but the wound 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 any wickedness, but the wickedness of a wife,
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 obstacle, but the obstacle of those who hate him,
21 Stumble not at the beauty of a woman, and desire her not for pleasure.	21 and any vindication, but the vindication of his 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 wife. It would be more agreeable to abide with a lion or a dragon, than to live with a wicked wife.
24 Of the woman came the beginning of sin, and through her we all die.	24 A wicked wife changes her face. And she darkens her countenance like a bear. And she displays it like sackcloth. In the midst of her neighbors,
25 Give the water no passage; neither a wicked woman liberty to gad abroad.	25 her husband groans, and hearing of this, he sighs 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 brief compared to the malice of a wife. Let the fate of sinners fall upon her!
	27 As climbing over sand is to the feet of the aged, so is a talkative wife to a quiet man.
	28 You should not favor a woman’s beauty, and you should not desire a wife for her beauty.
	29 The anger and disrespect and shame from a wife can be great.
	30 The wife, if she has primacy, is set against her husband.
	31 A wicked wife debases the heart, and saddens the face, and wounds the heart.
	32 A wife who does not make her husband happy enfeebles the hands and weakens the knees.
	33 The beginning of sin came from a woman; and through her, we all die.
	34 You should not provide an exit to your water, not even a little; nor should you give permission for a wicked wife to exceed the limit.
	35 If she will not walk at your hand, she will confound you in the sight of your enemies.
	36 Tear her away from your body, lest she abuse you continually.