The King James Version Bible

Sirach 25:12-24

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

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

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

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

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

  6. The wickedness of a woman changeth her face, and darkeneth her countenance like sackcloth.

  7. Her husband shall sit among his neighbours; and when he heareth it shall sigh bitterly.

  8. All wickedness is but little to the wickedness of a woman: let the portion of a sinner fall upon her.

  9. 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.

  10. Stumble not at the beauty of a woman, and desire her not for pleasure.

  11. A woman, if she maintain her husband, is full of anger, impudence, and much reproach.

  12. 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.

  13. Of the woman came the beginning of sin, and through her we all die.