The King James Version Bible

Sirach 25:13-26

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

  8. 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.

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

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

  11. 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.

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

  13. Give the water no passage; neither a wicked woman liberty to gad abroad.

  14. 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.