Ecclesiasticus
Ecclesiasticus 25
Chapter XXV · Vol. III, pp. 1567–1568
1 What things are beautiful, and what hateful. 6 What is the crown of age. 7 What things make man happy. 13 Nothing worse than a wicked woman.
1 In three things I 1was beautified, and stood up beautiful both before God and men: the 2unity of brethren, the love of neighbours, a man and a wife that agree together.
1 Or, gloried.
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 doteth.
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 my 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 3slipped with his tongue, and that hath not served a man more unworthy than himself:
3 ch. 14. 1. & 19. 16. Jam. 3. 2.
9 Well is him that hath found 4prudence, and he that speaketh in the ears of them that hear.
4 Or, a friend.
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, 5whereto shall he be likened?
5 Or, to whom.
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 6I had rather dwell with a lion and a dragon, than to keep house with a wicked woman.
6 Prov. 21. 19.
17 The wickedness of a woman changeth her face, and darkeneth her countenance 7like sackcloth.
7 Or, like a bear.
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 of a sandy way is to the feet of the aged, so is a wife 8full of words to a quiet man.
8 Or, scolding.
21 9Stumble not at the beauty of a woman, and desire her not for pleasure.
Before Christ about 200.
9 2 Sam. 11. 2. ch. 42. 12.
22 A woman, if she maintain her husband, is full of anger, impudence, and much reproach.
23 A wicked woman abateth the courage, maketh a heavy countenance and a wounded heart: a woman that will not comfort her husband in distress maketh weak hands and feeble knees.
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.