Numbered Sayings
Wisdom of Sirach 25, verse 1. There are three things beautiful to see, And they are beautiful before the Lord and men: The harmony of brothers, friendship between neighbors, And a wife and husband well-adjusted together. Wisdom of Sirach 25, verse 2. My soul hates three kinds of men, And I am very offended with their lifestyle: A beggar who is arrogant, a rich man who is a liar, And an old man who is an adulterer and lacks understanding.
Wisdom of the Aged
Wisdom of Sirach 25, verse 3. If you have gathered nothing in your youth, How can you find anything in your old age? Wisdom of Sirach 25, verse 4. Judgment is like beauty in gray hair, And in elders, it is to know counsel. Wisdom of Sirach 25, verse 5. Wisdom is like the beauty of old men, And in those who are glorious, it is understanding and counsel. Wisdom of Sirach 25, verse 6. The crown of old men is great experience, For their boast is the fear of the Lord.
Ten Blessings
Wisdom of Sirach 25, verse 7. In my heart I have blessed nine suppositions, And I will mention a tenth: A father who delights in his children; A man who lives to see the downfall of his enemies; Wisdom of Sirach 25, verse 8. A husband who is blessed to live with an understanding wife; A man who does not slip with his tongue; A man who has not served a man less worthy than himself; Wisdom of Sirach 25, verse 9. A man who is blessed to find discernment; A man who is blessed to speak to ears that listen; Wisdom of Sirach 25, verse 10. And a man who has found wisdom—how blessed he is! But there is no one greater than a man who fears the Lord. Wisdom of Sirach 25, verse 11. The fear of the Lord is more important than anything. To what will it be compared?
An Evil Wife
Wisdom of Sirach 25, verse 12. Any wound, but not a wound of the heart! Any evil, but not an evil wife! Wisdom of Sirach 25, verse 13. Any misery, but not the misery of those who hate me! Any vengeance, but not the vengeance of enemies! Wisdom of Sirach 25, verse 14. There is no head worse than the head of a snake, And there is no anger worse than the anger of an enemy. Wisdom of Sirach 25, verse 15. I would rather live with a lion or a snake than with an evil wife. Wisdom of Sirach 25, verse 16. The evil of a wife changes her appearance And darkens her face like that of a bear. Wisdom of Sirach 25, verse 17. Her husband will go to his neighbors for meals, And he sighs bitterly and involuntarily. Wisdom of Sirach 25, verse 18. Any evil is small compared to the evil of a wife. May the portion of a sinner fall upon her! Wisdom of Sirach 25, verse 19. A sandy hill of ascent for the feet of an old man— Such is an overly talkative wife to a quiet husband. Wisdom of Sirach 25, verse 20. Do not fall for the beauty of a woman, And do not long for her beauty. Wisdom of Sirach 25, verse 21. There is wrath, insolence, and great shame When a wife supports her husband. Wisdom of Sirach 25, verse 22. A downcast heart, a sad face, and a wounded heart Are caused by an evil wife. Drooping hands and weakened knees Are caused by a wife who does not make her husband happy. Wisdom of Sirach 25, verse 23. Sin had its beginning from a wife, And because of her we all die. Wisdom of Sirach 25, verse 24. Do not give water an outlet, Nor boldness to an evil wife. Wisdom of Sirach 25, verse 25. If she does not follow your good leadership, Cut her off from yourself.