| 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. |
| 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. |
| 3 If thou hast gathered nothing in thy youth, how canst thou find any thing in thine 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 honour. |
| 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 will utter with my tongue: A man that hath joy of his children; and he that liveth to see the fall of his enemy: |
| 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: |
| 9 Well is him that hath found prudence, and he that speaketh in the ears of them that will hear: |
| 10 O how great is he that findeth wisdom! yet is there none above him that feareth the Lord. |
| 11 But the love of the Lord passeth all things for illumination: he that holdeth it, whereto shall he be likened? |
| 12 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of his love: and faith is the beginning of cleaving unto him. |
| 13 [Give me] any plague, but the plague of the heart: and any wickedness, but the wickedness of a woman: |
| 14 And any affliction, but the affliction from them that hate me: and any revenge, but the revenge of enemies. |
| 15 There is no head above the head of a serpent; and there is no wrath above the wrath of an 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 changeth her face, and darkeneth her countenance like sackcloth. |
| 18 Her husband shall sit among his neighbours; and when he heareth it shall sigh bitterly. |
| 19 All wickedness is but little to the wickedness of a woman: let the portion of a sinner fall upon her. |
| 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. |
| 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 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. |
| 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 thou wouldest have her, cut her off from thy flesh, and give her a bill of divorce, and let her go. |