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 26

Blessed is the man that has a virtuous wife, for the number of his days shall be double. 2 A virtuous woman rejoices her husband, and he shall fulfill the years of his life in peace. 3 A good wife is a good portion, which shall be given in the portion of them that fear the Lord. 4 Whether a man be rich or poor, if he have a good heart toward the Lord, he shall at all times rejoice with a cheerful countenance. 5 There be three things that mine heart fears; and for the fourth I was sore afraid: the slander of a city, the gathering together of an unruly multitude, and a false accusation: all these are worse than death. 6 But a grief of heart and sorrow is a woman that is jealous over another woman, and a scourge of the tongue which communicates with all. 7 An evil wife is a yoke shaken to and fro: he that has hold of her is as though he held a scorpion. 8 A drunken woman and a gadder abroad causes great anger, and she will not cover her own shame.

9 The whoredom of a woman may be known in her haughty looks and eyelids. 10 If thy daughter be shameless, keep her in straitly, lest she abuse herself through overmuch liberty. 11 Watch over an impudent eye: and marvel not if she trespass against thee. 12 She will open her mouth, as a thirsty traveler when he has found a fountain, and drink of every water near her: by every hedge will she sit down, and open her quiver against every arrow.

13 The grace of a wife delights her husband, and her discretion will fatten his bones. 14 A silent and loving woman is a gift of the Lord; and there is nothing so much worth as a mind well instructed. 15 A shame-faced and faithful woman is a double grace, and her continent mind cannot be valued. 16 As the sun when it arises in the high heaven; so is the beauty of a good wife in the ordering of her house. 17 As the clear light is upon the holy candlestick; so is the beauty of the face in ripe age. 18 As the golden pillars are upon the sockets of silver; so are the fair feet with a constant heart.

19 My son, keep the flower of thine age sound; and give not thy strength to strangers. 20 When thou has gotten a fruitful possession through all the field, sow it with thine own seed, trusting in the goodness of thy stock. 21 So thy race which thou leave shall be magnified, having the confidence of their good descent.

22 An harlot shall be accounted as spittle; but a married woman is a tower against death to her husband. 23 A wicked woman is given as a portion to a wicked man: but a godly woman is given to him that fears the Lord. 24 A dishonest woman contemns shame: but an honest woman will reverence her husband. 25 A shameless woman shall be counted as a dog; but she that is shame-faced will fear the Lord. 26 A woman that honors her husband shall be judged wise of all; but she that dishonors him in her pride shall be counted ungodly of all. 27 A loud crying woman and a scold shall be sought out to drive away the enemies.

28 There be two things that grieve my heart; and the third makes me angry: a man of war that suffers poverty; and men of understanding that are not set by; and one that returns from righteousness to sin; the Lord prepares such a one for the sword. 29 A merchant shall hardly keep himself from doing wrong; and a huckster shall not be freed from sin.

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.

Chapter 28

He that revenges shall find vengeance from the Lord, and he will surely keep his sins in remembrance. 2 Forgive thy neighbor the hurt that he has done unto thee, so shall thy sins also be forgiven when thou pray. 3 One man bears hatred against another, and does he seek pardon from the Lord? 4 He shows no mercy to a man, which is like himself: and does he ask forgiveness of his own sins? 5 If he that is but flesh nourish hatred, who will entreat for pardon of his sins? 6 Remember thy end, and let enmity cease; remember corruption and death, and abide in the commandments. 7 Remember the commandments, and bear no malice to thy neighbor: remember the covenant of the Highest, and wink at ignorance.

8 Abstain from strife, and thou shall diminish thy sins: for a furious man will kindle strife, 9 A sinful man disquiets friends, and makes debate among them that be at peace. 10 As the matter of the fire is, so it burns: and as a man’s strength is, so is his wrath; and according to his riches his anger rises; and the stronger they are which contend, the more they will be inflamed. 11 An hasty contention kindles a fire: and an hasty fighting sheds blood. 12 If thou blow the spark, it shall burn: if thou spit upon it, it shall be quenched: and both these come out of thy mouth.

13 Curse the whisperer and double-tongued: for such have destroyed many that were at peace. 14 A backbiting tongue has disquieted many, and driven them from nation to nation: strong cities has it pulled down, and overthrown the houses of great men. 15 A backbiting tongue has cast out virtuous women, and deprived them of their labors. 16 Whoso hearkens unto it shall never find rest, and never dwell quietly. 17 The stroke of the whip makes marks in the flesh: but the stroke of the tongue breaks the bones. 18 Many have fallen by the edge of the sword: but not so many as have fallen by the tongue. 19 Well is he that is defended through the venom thereof; who has not drawn the yoke thereof, nor has been bound in her bands. 20 For the yoke thereof is a yoke of iron, and the bands thereof are bands of brass. 21 The death thereof is an evil death, the grave were better than it. 22 It shall not have rule over them that fear God, neither shall they be burned with the flame thereof. 23 Such as forsake the Lord shall fall into it; and it shall burn in them, and not be quenched; it shall be sent upon them as a lion, and devour them as a leopard. 24 Look that thou hedge thy possession about with thorns, and bind up thy silver and gold, 25 And weigh thy words in a balance, and make a door and bar for thy mouth. 26 Beware thou slide not by it, lest thou fall before him that lies in wait.

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King James Version Bible. It was authorized by King James I. It was translated by the Church of England and was first published in 1611.

God’s words are in red letters, old and new testament, as it should be. It is in paragraph form for easy reading. With all verses numbers labeled in blue for quick reference.

The Apocrypha was in the original King James version of the Bible. It should never have been removed. At the time Jesus was on earth the old testament and the Apocrypha scriptures were studied.

All scripture is Jewish scripture, Judaism is a religion not an ethnicity. Jesus is the Savior of the Jews. He is the Head of the Church.

Chapter 25

Chapter 26

Chapter 27

Chapter 28

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