Ecclesiasticus 25-28

Chapter 25

In three things I was beautified, and stood up beautiful both before God and men: the unity of brethren, the love of neighbors, a man and a wife that agree together. 2 Three sorts of men my soul hates, 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 dotes.

3 If thou has gathered nothing in thy youth, how can thou find anything 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 honor. 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 mine heart to be happy, and the tenth I will utter with my tongue: A man that has joy of his children; and he that lives to see the fall of his enemy: 8 Well is him that dwells with a wife of understanding, and that has not slipped with his tongue, and that has not served a man more unworthy than himself: 9 Well is him that has found prudence, and he that speaks in the ears of them that will hear: 10 O how great is he that finds wisdom! yet is there none above him that fears the Lord. 11 But the love of the Lord passes all things for illumination: he that holds it, whereto shall he be likened? 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 I had rather dwell with a lion and a dragon, than to keep house with a wicked woman. 17 The wickedness of a woman changes her face, and darkens her countenance like sackcloth. 18 Her husband shall sit among his neighbors; and when he hears 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 up a sandy way is to the feet of the aged, so is a wife full of words to a quiet man. 21 Stumble not at the beauty of a woman, and desire her not for pleasure. 22 A woman, if she maintain her husband, is full of anger, impudence, and much reproach. 23 A wicked woman abates the courage, makes a heavy countenance and a wounded heart: a woman that will not comfort her husband in distress makes weak hands and feeble knees. 24 Of the woman came the beginning of sin, and through her we all die. 25 Give the water no passage; neither a wicked woman liberty to gad abroad. 26 If she go not as thou would have her, cut her off from thy flesh, and give her a bill of divorce, and let her go.

Chapter 27

Many have sinned for a small matter; and he that seeks for abundance will turn his eyes away. 2 As a nail sticks fast between the joinings of the stones; so does sin stick close between buying and selling. 3 Unless a man hold himself diligently in the fear of the Lord, his house shall soon be overthrown.

4 As when one sifts with a sieve, the refuse remains; so the filth of man in his talk. 5 The furnace proves the potter’s vessels; so the trial of man is in his reasoning. 6 The fruit declares if the tree have been dressed; so is the utterance of a conceit in the heart of man. 7 Praise no man before thou hear him speak; for this is the trial of men.

8 If thou follow righteousness, thou shall obtain her, and put her on, as a glorious long robe. 9 The birds will resort unto their like; so will truth return unto them that practice in her. 10 As the lion lies in wait for the prey; so sin for them that work iniquity. 11 The discourse of a godly man is always with wisdom; but a fool changes as the moon. 12 If thou be among the indiscreet, observe the time; but be continually among men of understanding. 13 The discourse of fools is irksome, and their sport is the wantonness of sin. 14 The talk of him that swears much makes the hair stand upright; and their brawls make one stop his ears. 15 The strife of the proud is bloodshedding, and their revilings are grievous to the ear.

16 Whoso discovers secrets loses his credit; and shall never find friend to his mind. 17 Love thy friend, and be faithful unto him: but if thou betray his secrets, follow no more after him. 18 For as a man has destroyed his enemy; so has thou lost the love of thy neighbor. 19 As one that lets a bird go out of his hand, so has thou let thy neighbor go, and shall not get him again 20 Follow after him no more, for he is too far off; he is as a roe escaped out of the snare. 21 As for a wound, it may be bound up; and after reviling there may be reconcilement: but he that betrays secrets is without hope.

22 He that winks with the eyes works evil: and he that knows him will depart from him. 23 When thou are present, he will speak sweetly, and will admire thy words: but at the last he will writhe his mouth, and slander thy sayings. 24 I have hated many things, but nothing like him; for the Lord will hate him.

25 Whoso casts a stone on high casts it on his own head; and a deceitful stroke shall make wounds. 26 Whoso digs a pit shall fall therein: and he that sets a trap shall be taken therein. 27 He that works mischief, it shall fall upon him, and he shall not know whence it comes. 28 Mockery and reproach are from the proud; but vengeance, as a lion, shall lie in wait for them. 29 They that rejoice at the fall of the righteous shall be taken in the snare; and anguish shall consume them before they die. 30 Malice and wrath, even these are abominations; and the sinful man shall have them both.