Behavior with Women
Wisdom of Sirach 9, verse 1. Do not be jealous of the wife of your bosom And so teach her an evil lesson about yourself. Wisdom of Sirach 9, verse 2. Do not give your soul to a woman To let her trample on your strength. Wisdom of Sirach 9, verse 3. Do not meet with a woman who is a courtesan, Lest you fall into her snares. Wisdom of Sirach 9, verse 4. Do not associate with a dancing-girl, Lest you be caught in her schemes. Wisdom of Sirach 9, verse 5. Do not gaze at a virgin, Lest you stumble and pay damages for her. Wisdom of Sirach 9, verse 6. Do not give your soul to prostitutes, Lest you destroy your inheritance. Wisdom of Sirach 9, verse 7. Do not look around in the streets of a city, And do not wander about in its deserted sections. Wisdom of Sirach 9, verse 8. Turn your eye away from a woman with a shapely figure, And do not gaze at beauty belonging to another. Many have been led astray by the beauty of a woman, And erotic love is like a burning fire. Wisdom of Sirach 9, verse 9. Never dine with another man's wife, And do not share in parties with her over wine, Lest your soul turn aside to her, And you slip and with your spirit fall into destruction.
Friends and Neighbors
Wisdom of Sirach 9, verse 10. Do not forsake an old friend, For a new one is not equal with him. A new friend is like new wine; Drink it with pleasure only after it ages. Wisdom of Sirach 9, verse 11. Do not envy the honor given a sinner, For you do not know what his end will be. Wisdom of Sirach 9, verse 12. Do not delight in the pleasure of the ungodly; Remember, they will not be declared righteous even in Hades. Wisdom of Sirach 9, verse 13. Keep far away from a man who has the power to kill, And you will not be anxious about the fear of death. But if you come near him, do not offend him, Lest he take away your life. Know that you are stepping in the midst of snares And walking about the battlements of a city. Wisdom of Sirach 9, verse 14. Evaluate your neighbors as best you can And consult with those who are wise. Wisdom of Sirach 9, verse 15. Let your reasoning be with those who are wise, And let all your talk be about the law of the Most High. Wisdom of Sirach 9, verse 16. Let righteous men be your dinner companions, And let your boasting be in the fear of the Lord.
Wise Leaders
Wisdom of Sirach 9, verse 17. A work will be praised for the skill of its craftsmen, And a wise leader of people for the skill of his words. Wisdom of Sirach 9, verse 18. A talkative man is regarded with fear in his city, And a man who is reckless in his speech will be hated.