Sirach 25:10-16

1. 10 O how great is he that findeth wisdom! yet is there none above him that feareth the Lord.

2. 11 But the love of the Lord passeth all things for illumination: he that holdeth it, whereto shall he be likened?

3. 12 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of his love: and faith is the beginning of cleaving unto him.

4. 13 [Give me] any plague, but the plague of the heart: and any wickedness, but the wickedness of a woman:

5. 14 And any affliction, but the affliction from them that hate me: and any revenge, but the revenge of enemies.

6. 15 There is no head above the head of a serpent; and there is no wrath above the wrath of an enemy.

7. 16 I had rather dwell with a lion and a dragon, than to keep house with a wicked woman.

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