Sirach 25 – search, read, and compare multiple versions of the Bible
World English Bible Classic
[1] I enjoy three things,
and they are beautiful before the Lord and men:
the agreement of kindred,
the friendship of neighbors,
and a woman and her husband who walk together in agreement.
[2] But my soul hates three sorts of people,
and I am greatly offended at their life:
a poor man who is arrogant,
a rich man who is a liar,
and an old fool who is an adulterer. [3] If you gathered nothing in your youth,
how could you find anything in your old age?
[4] How beautiful a thing is judgment in the gray-haired,
and for elders to know good counsel!
[5] How beautiful is the wisdom of old men,
and understanding and counsel to men who are in honor!
[6] Much experience is the crown of the aged.
Their glory is the fear of the Lord. [7] There are nine things that I have thought of, and in my heart counted happy,
and the tenth I will utter with my tongue:
a man who has joy with his children,
and a man who lives and sees the fall of his enemies.
[8] Happy is he who dwells with a wife of understanding,
he who has not slipped with his tongue,
and he who has not served a man who is unworthy of him.
[9] Happy is he who has found prudence,
and he who speaks in the ears of those who listen.
[10] How great is he who has found wisdom!
Yet there is none greater than one who fears the Lord.
[11] The fear of the Lord surpasses all things.
To whom shall he who holds it be likened? [12] ⓘ [13] Any wound but a wound of the heart!
Any wickedness but the wickedness of a woman!
[14] Any calamity but a calamity from those who hate me!
Any vengeance but the vengeance of enemies!
[15] There is no venom worse than a snake’s venom.
There is no wrath worse than an enemy’s wrath. [16] I would rather dwell with a lion and a dragon
than keep house with a wicked woman.
[17] The wickedness of a woman changes her appearance,
and darkens her countenance like that of a bear.
[18] Her husband will sit among his neighbors,
and when he hears it, he sighs bitterly.
[19] All malice is small compared to the malice of a woman.
Let the portion of a sinner fall on her.
[20] As walking up a sandy hill is to the feet of the aged,
so is a wife full of words to a quiet man.
[21] Don’t be ensnared by a woman’s beauty.
Don’t desire a woman for her beauty.
[22] There is anger, impudence, and great reproach
if a woman supports her husband.
[23] A wicked woman is abasement of heart,
sadness of countenance, and a wounded heart.
A woman who won’t make her husband happy
is like hands that hang down, and weak knees.
[24] The beginning of sin came from a woman.
Because of her, we all die.
[25] Don’t give water an outlet,
and don’t give a wicked woman freedom of speech.
[26] If she doesn’t go as you direct,
cut her away from your flesh.ⓘ
and they are beautiful before the Lord and men:
the agreement of kindred,
the friendship of neighbors,
and a woman and her husband who walk together in agreement.
[2] But my soul hates three sorts of people,
and I am greatly offended at their life:
a poor man who is arrogant,
a rich man who is a liar,
and an old fool who is an adulterer. [3] If you gathered nothing in your youth,
how could you find anything in your old age?
[4] How beautiful a thing is judgment in the gray-haired,
and for elders to know good counsel!
[5] How beautiful is the wisdom of old men,
and understanding and counsel to men who are in honor!
[6] Much experience is the crown of the aged.
Their glory is the fear of the Lord. [7] There are nine things that I have thought of, and in my heart counted happy,
and the tenth I will utter with my tongue:
a man who has joy with his children,
and a man who lives and sees the fall of his enemies.
[8] Happy is he who dwells with a wife of understanding,
he who has not slipped with his tongue,
and he who has not served a man who is unworthy of him.
[9] Happy is he who has found prudence,
and he who speaks in the ears of those who listen.
[10] How great is he who has found wisdom!
Yet there is none greater than one who fears the Lord.
[11] The fear of the Lord surpasses all things.
To whom shall he who holds it be likened? [12] ⓘ [13] Any wound but a wound of the heart!
Any wickedness but the wickedness of a woman!
[14] Any calamity but a calamity from those who hate me!
Any vengeance but the vengeance of enemies!
[15] There is no venom worse than a snake’s venom.
There is no wrath worse than an enemy’s wrath. [16] I would rather dwell with a lion and a dragon
than keep house with a wicked woman.
[17] The wickedness of a woman changes her appearance,
and darkens her countenance like that of a bear.
[18] Her husband will sit among his neighbors,
and when he hears it, he sighs bitterly.
[19] All malice is small compared to the malice of a woman.
Let the portion of a sinner fall on her.
[20] As walking up a sandy hill is to the feet of the aged,
so is a wife full of words to a quiet man.
[21] Don’t be ensnared by a woman’s beauty.
Don’t desire a woman for her beauty.
[22] There is anger, impudence, and great reproach
if a woman supports her husband.
[23] A wicked woman is abasement of heart,
sadness of countenance, and a wounded heart.
A woman who won’t make her husband happy
is like hands that hang down, and weak knees.
[24] The beginning of sin came from a woman.
Because of her, we all die.
[25] Don’t give water an outlet,
and don’t give a wicked woman freedom of speech.
[26] If she doesn’t go as you direct,
cut her away from your flesh.ⓘ
Footnotes
- ⓘ 25:12 Verse 12 is omitted by the best authorities.
- ⓘ 25:26 The remainder of this verse is omitted by the best authorities.
King James Version
Book not available in King James Version
Septuaginta
Septuaginta, in place of Byzantine Greek New Testament
[1] Ἐν G1722 (PREP) τρισὶν G5140 (A-DPM) ὡραίσθην (V-API-1S) καὶ G2532 (CONJ) ἀνέστην G450 (V-AAI-1S) ὡραία G5611 (A-APN) ἔναντι G1725 (PREP) κυρίου G2962 (N-GSM) καὶ G2532 (CONJ) ἀνθρώπων· G444 (N-GPM) ὁμόνοια (N-NSF) ἀδελφῶν, G80 (N-GPM) καὶ G2532 (CONJ) φιλία G5373 (N-NSF) τῶν G3588 (T-GPM) πλησίον, G4139 (ADV) καὶ G2532 (CONJ) γυνὴ G1135 (N-NSF) καὶ G2532 (CONJ) ἀνὴρ G435 (N-NSM) ἑαυτοῖς G1438 (F-3DPM) συμπεριφερόμενοι. (V-PEP-NPM) [2] Τρία G5140 (A-APN) δὲ G1161 (CONJ) εἴδη G1491 (N-APN) ἐμίσησεν G3404 (V-AAI-3S) ἡ G3588 (T-NSF) ψυχή G5590 (N-NSF) μου G3450 (P-1GS) καὶ G2532 (CONJ) προσώχθισα G4360 (V-AAI-1S) σφόδρα G4970 (ADV) τῇ G3588 (T-DSF) ζωῇ G2222 (N-DSF) αὐτῶν· G846 (P-GPM) πτωχὸν G4434 (A-ASM) ὑπερήφανον, G5244 (A-ASM) καὶ G2532 (CONJ) πλούσιον G4145 (A-ASM) ψεύστην, G5583 (N-ASM) γέροντα G1088 (N-ASM) μοιχὸν G3432 (N-ASM) ἐλαττούμενον G1642 (V-PEP-ASM) συνέσει. G4907 (N-DSF) [3] Ἐν G1722 (PREP) νεότητι G3503 (N-DSF) οὐ G3756 (PRT-N) συναγείοχας, G4863 (V-RAI-2S) καὶ G2532 (CONJ) πῶς G4459 (ADV-I) ἂν G302 (PRT) εὕροις G2147 (V-2AAO-2S) ἐν G1722 (PREP) τῷ G3588 (T-DSN) γήρᾳ (N-PRI) σου; G4675 (P-2GS) [4] Ὡς G5613 (ADV) ὡραῖον G5611 (A-NSN) πολιαῖς (N-DPF) κρίσις G2920 (N-NSF) καὶ G2532 (CONJ) πρεσβυτέροις G4245 (A-DPM-C) ἐπιγνῶναι G1921 (V-2AAN) βουλήν. G1012 (N-ASF) [5] Ὡς G5613 (ADV) ὡραία G5611 (A-NSF) γερόντων G1088 (N-GPM) σοφία G4678 (N-NSF) καὶ G2532 (CONJ) δεδοξασμένοις G1392 (V-REP-DPM) διανόημα G1270 (N-NSN) καὶ G2532 (CONJ) βουλή. G1012 (N-NSF) [6] Στέφανος G4735 (N-NSM) γερόντων G1088 (N-GPM) πολυπειρία, (N-NSF) καὶ G2532 (CONJ) τὸ G3588 (T-NSN) καύχημα G2745 (N-NSN) αὐτῶν G846 (P-GPM) φόβος G5401 (N-NSM) κυρίου. G2962 (N-GSM) [7] Ἐννέα G1767 (A-NUI) ὑπονοήματα (N-APN) ἐμακάρισα G3106 (V-AAI-1S) ἐν G1722 (PREP) καρδίᾳ G2588 (N-DSF) καὶ G2532 (CONJ) τὸ G3588 (T-ASN) δέκατον G1182 (A-ASN) ἐρῶ G2046 (V-FAI-1S) ἐπὶ G1909 (PREP) γλώσσης· G1100 (N-GSF) ἄνθρωπος G444 (N-NSM) εὐφραινόμενος G2165 (V-PPP-NSM) ἐπὶ G1909 (PREP) τέκνοις, G5043 (N-DPN) ζῶν G2198 (V-PAP-NSM) καὶ G2532 (CONJ) βλέπων G991 (V-PAP-NSM) ἐπὶ G1909 (PREP) πτώσει G4431 (N-DSF) ἐχθρῶν· G2190 (A-GPM) [8] μακάριος G3107 (A-NSM) ὁ G3588 (T-NSM) συνοικῶν G4924 (V-PAP-NSM) γυναικὶ G1135 (N-DSF) συνετῇ, G4908 (A-DSF) καὶ G2532 (CONJ) ὃς G3739 (R-NSM) ἐν G1722 (PREP) γλώσσῃ G1100 (N-DSF) οὐκ G3756 (PRT-N) ὠλίσθησεν, (V-AAI-3S) καὶ G2532 (CONJ) ὃς G3739 (R-NSM) οὐκ G3756 (PRT-N) ἐδούλευσεν G1398 (V-AAI-3S) ἀναξίῳ G370 (A-DSM) ἑαυτοῦ· G1438 (F-3GSM) [9] μακάριος G3107 (A-NSM) ὃς G3739 (R-NSM) εὗρεν G2147 (V-2AAI-3S) φρόνησιν, G5428 (N-ASF) καὶ G2532 (CONJ) ὁ G3588 (T-NSM) διηγούμενος G1334 (V-PEP-NSM) εἰς G1519 (PREP) ὦτα G3775 (N-ASN) ἀκουόντων· G191 (V-PAP-GPM) [10] ὡς G5613 (ADV) μέγας G3173 (A-NSM) ὁ G3588 (T-NSM) εὑρὼν G2147 (V-2AAP-NSM) σοφίαν· G4678 (N-ASF) ἀλλ’ G235 (CONJ) οὐκ G3756 (PRT-N) ἔστιν G2076 (V-PAI-3S) ὑπὲρ G5228 (PREP) τὸν G3588 (T-ASM) φοβούμενον (V-PEP-ASM) τὸν G3588 (T-ASM) κύριον· G2962 (N-ASM) [11] φόβος G5401 (N-NSM) κυρίου G2962 (N-GSM) ὑπὲρ G5228 (PREP) πᾶν G3956 (A-ASN) ὑπερέβαλεν, G5235 (V-2AAI-3S) ὁ G3588 (T-NSM) κρατῶν G2902 (V-PAP-NSM) αὐτοῦ G846 (P-GSM) τίνι G5101 (I-DSM) ὁμοιωθήσεται; G3666 (V-FPI-3S) …[13] Πᾶσαν G3956 (A-ASF) πληγὴν G4127 (N-ASF) καὶ G2532 (CONJ) μὴ G3361 (PRT-N) πληγὴν G4127 (N-ASF) καρδίας, G2588 (N-GSF) καὶ G2532 (CONJ) πᾶσαν G3956 (A-ASF) πονηρίαν G4189 (N-ASF) καὶ G2532 (CONJ) μὴ G3361 (PRT-N) πονηρίαν G4189 (N-ASF) γυναικός· G1135 (N-GSF) [14] πᾶσαν G3956 (A-ASF) ἐπαγωγὴν (N-ASF) καὶ G2532 (CONJ) μὴ G3361 (PRT-N) ἐπαγωγὴν (N-ASF) μισούντων, G3404 (V-PAP-GPM) καὶ G2532 (CONJ) πᾶσαν G3956 (A-ASF) ἐκδίκησιν G1557 (N-ASF) καὶ G2532 (CONJ) μὴ G3361 (PRT-N) ἐκδίκησιν G1557 (N-ASF) ἐχθρῶν. G2190 (A-GPM) [15] Οὐκ G3756 (PRT-N) ἔστιν G2076 (V-PAI-3S) κεφαλὴ G2776 (N-NSF) ὑπὲρ G5228 (PREP) κεφαλὴν G2776 (N-ASF) ὄφεως, G3789 (N-GSM) καὶ G2532 (CONJ) οὐκ G3756 (PRT-N) ἔστιν G2076 (V-PAI-3S) θυμὸς G2372 (N-NSM) ὑπὲρ G5228 (PREP) θυμὸν G2372 (N-ASM) ἐχθροῦ. G2190 (A-GSM) [16] Συνοικῆσαι G4924 (V-AAN) λέοντι G3023 (N-DSM) καὶ G2532 (CONJ) δράκοντι G1404 (N-DSM) εὐδοκήσω G2106 (V-FAI-1S) ἢ G2228 (PRT) συνοικῆσαι G4924 (V-AAN) μετὰ G3326 (PREP) γυναικὸς G1135 (N-GSF) πονηρᾶς. G4190 (A-GSF) [17] Πονηρία G4189 (N-NSF) γυναικὸς G1135 (N-GSF) ἀλλοιοῖ (V-PAI-3S) τὴν G3588 (T-ASF) ὅρασιν G3706 (N-ASF) αὐτῆς G846 (P-GSF) καὶ G2532 (CONJ) σκοτοῖ G4656 (V-PAI-3S) τὸ G3588 (T-ASN) πρόσωπον G4383 (N-ASN) αὐτῆς G846 (P-GSF) ὡς G5613 (ADV) ἄρκος· (N-NSM) [18] ἀνὰ G303 (PREP) μέσον G3319 (A-ASN) τῶν G3588 (T-GPM) πλησίον G4139 (ADV) αὐτοῦ G846 (P-GSM) ἀναπεσεῖται G377 (V-FMI-3S) ὁ G3588 (T-NSM) ἀνηρ G435 (N-NSM) αὐτῆς G846 (P-GSF) καὶ G2532 (CONJ) ἀκουσίως (ADV) ἀνεστέναξεν G389 (V-2AAI-3S) πικρά. G4089 (A-APN) [19] Μικρὰ G3398 (A-NSF) πᾶσα G3956 (A-NSF) κακία G2549 (N-NSF) πρὸς G4314 (PREP) κακίαν G2549 (N-ASF) γυναικός, G1135 (N-GSF) κλῆρος G2819 (N-NSM) ἁμαρτωλοῦ G268 (N-GSM) ἐπιπέσοι G1968 (V-FAO-3S) αὐτῇ. G846 (P-DSF) [20] Ἀνάβασις (N-NSF) ἀμμώδης (A-NSF) ἐν G1722 (PREP) ποσὶν G4228 (N-DPM) πρεσβυτέρου, G4245 (A-GSM-C) οὕτως G3779 (ADV) γυνὴ G1135 (N-NSF) γλωσσώδης (A-NSF) ἀνδρὶ G435 (N-DSM) ἡσύχῳ. (A-DSM) [21] Μὴ G3361 (PRT-N) προσπέσῃς G4363 (V-AAS-2S) ἐπὶ G1909 (PREP) κάλλος (N-ASN) γυναικὸς G1135 (N-GSF) καὶ G2532 (CONJ) γυναῖκα G1135 (N-ASF) μὴ G3361 (PRT-N) ἐπιποθήσῃς. G1971 (V-AAS-2S) [22] Ὀργὴ G3709 (N-NSF) καὶ G2532 (CONJ) ἀναίδεια G335 (N-NSF) καὶ G2532 (CONJ) αἰσχύνη G152 (N-NSF) μεγάλη G3173 (A-NSF) γυνὴ G1135 (N-NSF) ἐὰν G1437 (COND) ἐπιχορηγῇ G2023 (V-AAS-3S) τῷ G3588 (T-DSM) ἀνδρὶ G435 (N-DSM) αὐτῆς. G846 (P-GSF) [23] Καρδία G2588 (N-NSF) ταπεινὴ G5011 (A-NSF) καὶ G2532 (CONJ) πρόσωπον G4383 (N-NSN) σκυθρωπὸν G4659 (A-NSN) καὶ G2532 (CONJ) πληγὴ G4127 (N-NSF) καρδίας G2588 (N-GSF) γυνὴ G1135 (N-NSF) πονηρά· G4190 (A-NSF) χεῖρες G5495 (N-NPF) παρειμέναι G3935 (V-RMP-NPF) καὶ G2532 (CONJ) γόνατα G1119 (N-NPN) παραλελυμένα G3886 (V-RMP-NPN) ἥτις G3748 (R-NSF) οὐ G3756 (PRT-N) μακαριεῖ G3106 (V-FAI-3S) τὸν G3588 (T-ASM) ἄνδρα G435 (N-ASM) αὐτῆς. G846 (P-GSF) [24] Ἀπὸ G575 (PREP) γυναικὸς G1135 (N-GSF) ἀρχὴ G746 (N-NSF) ἁμαρτίας, G266 (N-GSF) καὶ G2532 (CONJ) δι’ G1223 (PREP) αὐτὴν G846 (P-ASF) ἀποθνῄσκομεν G599 (V-PAI-1P) πάντες. G3956 (A-NPM) [25] Μὴ G3361 (PRT-N) δῷς G1325 (V-2AAS-2S) ὕδατι G5204 (N-DSN) διέξοδον G1327 (N-ASF) μηδὲ G3366 (CONJ-N) γυναικὶ G1135 (N-DSF) πονηρᾷ G4190 (A-DSF) παρρησίαν· G3954 (N-ASF) [26] εἰ G1487 (COND) μὴ G3361 (PRT-N) πορεύεται G4198 (V-PNI-3S) κατὰ G2596 (PREP) χεῖράς G5495 (N-APF) σου, G4675 (P-2GS) ἀπὸ G575 (PREP) τῶν G3588 (T-GPF) σαρκῶν G4561 (N-GPF) σου G4675 (P-2GS) ἀπότεμε (V-2AAM-2S) αὐτήν. G846 (P-ASF)