Sefarim
Ben Sira25
Sirach / Ecclesiasticus · Chapter 25
In three things I was beautified, and stood up beautiful both before Elohim and men: the unity of brethren, the love of neighbours, a man and a wife that agree together.
Three sorts of men my nephesh hateth, 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 doateth.
If thou hast gathered nothing in thy youth, how canst thou find any thing in thine age?
O how comely a thing is judgment for gray hairs, and for ancient men to know counsel!
O how comely is the wisdom of old men, and understanding and counsel to men of honour.
Much experience is the crown of old men, and the fear of Elohim is their glory.
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 hath joy of his children; and he that liveth to see the fall of his enemy:
Well is him that dwelleth with a wife of understanding, and that hath not slipped with his tongue, and that hath not served a man more unworthy than himself:
Well is him that hath found prudence, and he that speaketh in the ears of them that will hear:
O how great is he that findeth wisdom! yet is there none above him that feareth the master.
But the love of the master passeth all things for illumination: he that holdeth it, whereto shall he be likened?
The fear of the master is the beginning of his love: and faith is the beginning of cleaving unto him.
Give me any plague, but the plague of the heart: and any wickedness, but the wickedness of a woman:
And any affliction, but the affliction from them that hate me: and any revenge, but the revenge of enemies.
There is no head above the head of a serpent; and there is no wrath above the wrath of an enemy.
I had rather dwell with a lion and a dragon, than to keep house with a wicked woman.
The wickedness of a woman changeth her face, and darkeneth her countenance like sackcloth.
Her husband shall sit among his neighbours; and when he heareth it shall sigh bitterly.
All wickedness is but little to the wickedness of a woman: let the portion of a sinner fall upon her.
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.
Stumble not at the beauty of a woman, and desire her not for pleasure.
A woman, if she maintain her husband, is full of anger, impudence, and much reproach.
A wicked woman abateth the courage, maketh an heavy countenance and a wounded heart: a woman that will not comfort her husband in distress maketh weak hands and feeble knees.
Of the woman came the beginning of sin, and through her we all die.
Give the water no passage; neither a wicked woman liberty to gad abroad.
If she go not as thou wouldest have her, cut her off from thy flesh, and give her a bill of divorce, and let her go.
Sefarim
Ben Sira26
Sirach / Ecclesiasticus · Chapter 26
Blessed is the man that hath a virtuous wife, for the number of his days shall be double.
A virtuous woman rejoiceth her husband, and he shall fulfil the years of his life in peace.
A good wife is a good portion, which shall be given in the portion of them that fear the master.
Whether a man be rich or poor, if he have a good heart toward the master, he shall at all times rejoice with a cheerful countenance.
There be three things that mine heart feareth; 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.
But a grief of heart and sorrow is a woman that is jealous over another woman, and a scourge of the tongue which communicateth with all.
An evil wife is a yoke shaken to and fro: he that hath hold of her is as though he held a scorpion.
A drunken woman and a gadder abroad causeth great anger, and she will not cover her own shame.
The whoredom of a woman may be known in her haughty looks and eyelids.
If thy daughter be shameless, keep her in straitly, lest she abuse herself through overmuch liberty.
Watch over an impudent eye: and marvel not if she trespass against thee.
She will open her mouth, as a thirsty traveller when he hath found a fountain, and drink of every water near her: by every hedge will she sit down, and open her quiver against every arrow.
The grace of a wife delighteth her husband, and her discretion will fatten his bones.
A silent and loving woman is a gift of the master; and there is nothing so much worth as a mind well instructed.
A shamefaced and faithful woman is a double grace, and her continent mind cannot be valued.
As the sun when it ariseth in the high shamayim; so is the beauty of a good wife in the ordering of her house.
As the clear light is upon the holy candlestick; so is the beauty of the face in ripe age.
As the golden pillars are upon the sockets of silver; so are the fair feet with a constant heart.
My son, keep the flower of thine age sound; and give not thy strength to strangers.
When thou hast gotten a fruitful possession through all the field, sow it with thine own seed, trusting in the goodness of thy stock.
So thy race which thou leavest shall be magnified, having the confidence of their good descent.
An harlot shall be accounted as spittle; but a married woman is a tower against death to her husband.
A wicked woman is given as a portion to a wicked man: but a godly woman is given to him that feareth the master.
A dishonest woman contemneth shame: but an honest woman will reverence her husband.
A shameless woman shall be counted as a dog; but she that is shamefaced will fear the master.
A woman that honoureth her husband shall be judged wise of all; but she that dishonoureth him in her pride shall be counted ungodly of all.
A loud crying woman and a scold shall be sought out to drive away the enemies.
There be two things that grieve my heart; and the third maketh me angry: a man of war that suffereth poverty; and men of understanding that are not set by; and one that returneth from righteousness to sin; the master prepareth such an one for the sword.
A merchant shall hardly keep himself from doing wrong; and an huckster shall not be freed from sin.
Sefarim
Ben Sira27
Sirach / Ecclesiasticus · Chapter 27
Many have sinned for a small matter; and he that seeketh for abundance will turn his eyes away.
As a nail sticketh fast between the joinings of the stones; so doth sin stick close between buying and selling.
Unless a man hold himself diligently in the fear of the master, his house shall soon be overthrown.
As when one sifteth with a sieve, the refuse remaineth; so the filth of man in his talk.
The furnace proveth the potter’s vessels; so the trial of man is in his reasoning.
The fruit declareth if the tree have been dressed; so is the utterance of a conceit in the heart of man.
Praise no man before thou hearest him speak; for this is the trial of men.
If thou followest righteousness, thou shalt obtain her, and put her on, as a glorious long robe.
The birds will resort unto their like; so will truth return unto them that practise in her.
As the lion lieth in wait for the prey; so sin for them that work iniquity.
The discourse of a godly man is always with wisdom; but a fool changeth as the moon.
If thou be among the indiscreet, observe the time; but be continually among men of understanding.
The discourse of fools is irksome, and their sport is the wantonness of sin.
The talk of him that sweareth much maketh the hair stand upright; and their brawls make one stop his ears.
The strife of the proud is bloodshedding, and their revilings are grievous to the ear.
Whoso discovereth secrets loseth his credit; and shall never find friend to his mind.
Love thy friend, and be faithful unto him: but if thou betrayest his secrets, follow no more after him.
For as a man hath destroyed his enemy; so hast thou lost the love of thy neighbor.
As one that letteth a bird go out of his hand, so hast thou let thy neighbour go, and shalt not get him again
Follow after him no more, for he is too far off; he is as a roe escaped out of the snare.
As for a wound, it may be bound up; and after reviling there may be reconcilement: but he that betrayeth secrets is without hope.
He that winketh with the eyes worketh evil: and he that knoweth him will depart from him.
When thou art present, he will speak sweetly, and will admire thy words: but at the last he will writhe his mouth, and slander thy sayings.
I have hated many things, but nothing like him; for the master will hate him.
Whoso casteth a stone on high casteth it on his own head; and a deceitful stroke shall make wounds.
Whoso diggeth a pit shall fall therein: and he that setteth a trap shall be taken therein.
He that worketh mischief, it shall fall upon him, and he shall not know whence it cometh.
Mockery and reproach are from the proud; but vengeance, as a lion, shall lie in wait for them.
They that rejoice at the fall of the righteous shall be taken in the snare; and anguish shall consume them before they die.
Malice and wrath, even these are abominations; and the sinful man shall have them both.