Ecclesiasticus
Chapter 25
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25:1 With three things my spirit is pleased, which are approved before God and men:
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25:2 The concord of brethren, and the love of neighbours, and man and wife that agree well together.
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25:3 Three sorts my soul hateth, and I am greatly grieved at their life:
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25:4 A poor man that is proud: a rich man that is a liar: an old man that is a fool, and doting.
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25:5 The things that thou hast not gathered in thy youth, how shalt thou find them in thy old age?
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25:6 O how comely is judgment for a grey head, and for ancients to know counsel!
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25:7 O how comely is wisdom for the aged, and understanding and counsel to men of honour!
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25:8 Much experience is the crown of old men, and the fear of God is their glory.
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25:9 Nine things that are not to be imagined by the heart have I magnified, and the tenth I will utter to men with my tongue.
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25:10 A man that hath joy of his children: and he that liveth and seeth the fall of his enemies.
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25:11 Blessed is he that dwelleth with a wise woman, and that hath not slipped with his tongue, and that hath not served such as are unworthy of him.
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25:12 Blessed is he that findeth a true friend, and that declareth justice to an ear that heareth.
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25:13 How great is he that findeth wisdom and knowledge! but there is none above him that feareth the Lord.
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25:14 The fear of God hath set itself above all things:
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25:15 Blessed is the man, to whom it is given to have the fear of God: he that holdeth it, to whom shall he be likened?
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25:16 The fear of God is the beginning of his love: and the beginning of faith is to be fast joined unto it.
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25:17 The sadness of the heart is every plague: and the wickedness of a woman is all evil.
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25:18 And a man will choose any plague, but the plague of the heart:
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25:19 And any wickedness, but the wickedness of a woman:
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25:20 And any affliction, but the affliction from them that hate him:
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25:21 And any revenge, but the revenge of enemies.
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25:22 There is no head worse than the head of a serpent:
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25:23 And there is no anger above the anger of a woman. It will be more agreeable to abide with a lion and a dragon, than to dwell with a wicked woman.
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25:24 The wickedness of a woman changeth her face: and she darkeneth her countenance as a bear: and sheweth it like sackcloth. In the midst of her neighbours,
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25:25 Her husband groaned, and hearing he sighed a little.
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25:26 All malice is short to the malice of a woman, let the lot of sinners fall upon her.
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25:27 As the climbing of a sandy way is to the feet of the aged, so is a wife full of tongue to a quiet man.
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25:28 Look not upon a woman's beauty, and desire not a woman for beauty.
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25:29 A woman's anger, and impudence, and confusion is great.
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25:30 A woman, if she have superiority, is contrary to her husband.
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25:31 A wicked woman abateth the courage, and maketh a heavy countenance, and a wounded heart.
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25:32 Feeble hands, and disjointed knees, a woman that doth not make her husband happy.
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25:33 From the woman came the beginning of sin, and by her we all die.
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25:34 Give no issue to thy water, no, not a little: nor to a wicked woman liberty to gad abroad.
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25:35 If she walk not at thy hand, she will confound thee in the sight of thy enemies.
25:36 Cut her off from thy flesh, lest she always abuse thee.
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