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Sirach (Ecclesiasticus) 25

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1 I enjoy three things,

2 But my soul hates three sorts of people,

3 If you gathered nothing in your youth,

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

5 How beautiful is the wisdom of old men,

6 Much experience is the crown of the aged.

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

8 Happy is he who dwells with a wife of understanding,

9 Happy is he who has found prudence,

10 How great is he who has found wisdom!

11 The fear of the Lord surpasses all things.

13 Any wound but a wound of the heart!

14 Any calamity but a calamity from those who hate me!

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

16 I would rather dwell with a lion and a dragon

17 The wickedness of a woman changes her appearance,

18 Her husband will sit amongst his neighbours,

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

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

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

22 There is anger, impudence, and great reproach

23 A wicked woman is abasement of heart,

24 The beginning of sin came from a woman.

25 Don’t give water an outlet,

26 If she doesn’t go as you direct,