Ben Sira 42:7-17

7 Keep an accurate record of any deposits you make or of anything you give or receive.
8 Don't hesitate to correct someone who is acting foolishly or an old man who goes around with prostitutes. All of this is worthwhile advice, and if you follow it, everyone will approve of your behavior.
9 Although he will not let his daughter know it, a father will lie awake at night worrying about her. If she is young, he worries that she might not get married. If she is already married, he worries about her happiness. 1
10 If she is a virgin, he worries that she might be seduced and become pregnant while living in his house. If she is married, he worries that she might be unfaithful, or that she might not be able to have children.
11 Keep a close watch over your daughter if she is determined to have her own way. If you don't, she may make a fool of you in front of your enemies. You will be a constant joke to everyone in town, a public disgrace. Make sure that her room has no windows or any place where she can look out to the entrance of the house.
12 Don't let her show off her beauty in front of men, or spend her time talking with the women.
13 Women hurt other women just as moths damage clothing.
14 A man's wickedness is better than a woman's goodness; women bring shame and disgrace.
15 Now I will remind you of the works of the Lord and describe the things I have seen. The words of the Lord brought his works into being, and the whole creation obeys his commands.
16 The light of the sun shines down on everything, and everything is filled with the Lord's glory.
17 Not even to his holy angels has the Lord given power to describe all his mighty deeds, even though he has given them power to stand unharmed in his glorious presence.

Cross References 1

  • 1. 42.9-11Ben Sira 7.24, 25; 26.10-12.

Footnotes 3

  • [a]. [Hebrew] Make sure . . . house; [Greek does not have these words.]
  • [b]. [Hebrew] Don't let . . . women; [Greek unclear.]
  • [c]. [Hebrew] even though . . . presence; [Greek] which the Lord Almighty established so that everything may stand firm in his glory.
Scripture taken from the Good News Translation - Second Edition, Copyright 1992 by American Bible Society. Used by Permission.