Sirach 25:13-25

Evil and good women

13 Any wound, but not a wound to the heart; and any wickedness, but not a woman's wickedness!
14 Any attack, but not an attack by those who hate; and any vengeance, but not the vengeance of enemies.
15 No poison is worse than a snake's poison, and no anger is worse than an enemy's anger.
16 I would rather live with a lion or a serpent than live with a wicked woman.
17 A woman's wickedness changes her appearance, and it darkens her face like that of a bear.
18 Her husband sits down among his neighbors and unintentionally groans bitterly.
19 Any evil is small when compared to a woman's evil; may she experience a sinner's fate.
20 A talkative wife for a quiet husband is like a sand dune beneath the feet of an elderly person.
21 Don't fall for a woman's beauty, and don't long for a woman.
22 There will be anger, shamelessness, and utter disgrace when a wife provides for her husband.
23 A wicked wife causes a humiliated heart, a gloomy face, and a wounded heart. Drooping hands and weakened knees come from a woman who doesn't make her husband happy.
24 Sin began with a woman, and because of her all of us die.
25 Don't allow an outlet for water, and don't give a wicked wife freedom to speak.

Footnotes 1

  • [a]. In both cases, LXX has head.
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