Sirach (Ecclesiasticus) 25

25:1

I enjoy three things,

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25:2

But my soul hates three sorts of people,

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25:3

If you gathered nothing in your youth,

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25:4

How beautiful a thing is judgement in the grey-haired,

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25:5

How beautiful is the wisdom of old men,

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25:6

Much experience is the crown of the aged.

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25:7

There are nine things that I have thought of, and in my heart counted happy,

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25:8

Happy is he who dwells with a wife of understanding,

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25:9

Happy is he who has found prudence,

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25:10

How great is he who has found wisdom!

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25:11

The fear of the Lord surpasses all things.

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25:13

Any wound but a wound of the heart!

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25:14

Any calamity but a calamity from those who hate me!

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25:15

There is no venom worse than a snake’s venom.

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25:16

I would rather dwell with a lion and a dragon

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25:17

The wickedness of a woman changes her appearance,

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25:18

Her husband will sit amongst his neighbours,

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25:19

All malice is small compared to the malice of a woman.

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25:20

As walking up a sandy hill is to the feet of the aged,

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25:21

Don’t be ensnared by a woman’s beauty.

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25:22

There is anger, impudence, and great reproach

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25:23

A wicked woman is abasement of heart,

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25:24

The beginning of sin came from a woman.

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25:25

Don’t give water an outlet,

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25:26

If she doesn’t go as you direct,

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