Ben Sira 25:14-24

14 Any attack, but not an attack from those who hate! And any vengeance, but not the vengeance of enemies!
15 There is no venom worse than a snake's venom, and no wrath worse than an enemy's wrath.
16 I would rather dwell with a lion and a dragon than dwell with an evil wife.
17 The wickedness of a wife changes her appearance, and darkens her face like that of a bear.
18 Her husband takes his meals among the neighbors, and he cannot help sighing bitterly.
19 Any iniquity is insignificant compared to a wife's iniquity; may a sinner's lot befall her!
20 A sandy ascent for the feet of the aged -- such is a garrulous wife for a quiet husband.
21 Do not be ensnared by a woman's beauty, and do not desire a woman for her possessions.
22 There is wrath and impudence and great disgrace when a wife supports her husband.
23 A dejected mind, a gloomy face, and a wounded heart are caused by an evil wife. Drooping hands and weak knees are caused by the wife who does not make her husband happy.
24 From a woman sin had its beginning, and because of her we all die.
Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright 1952 [2nd edition, 1971] by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.