Sirach 25:3-15

1. 3 If thou hast gathered nothing in thy youth, how canst thou find any thing in thine age?

2. 4 O how comely a thing is judgment for gray hairs, and for ancient men to know counsel!

3. 5 O how comely is the wisdom of old men, and understanding and counsel to men of honour.

4. 6 Much experience is the crown of old men, and the fear of God is their glory.

5. 7 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:

6. 8 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:

7. 9 Well is him that hath found prudence, and he that speaketh in the ears of them that will hear:

8. 10 O how great is he that findeth wisdom! yet is there none above him that feareth the Lord.

9. 11 But the love of the Lord passeth all things for illumination: he that holdeth it, whereto shall he be likened?

10. 12 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of his love: and faith is the beginning of cleaving unto him.

11. 13 [Give me] any plague, but the plague of the heart: and any wickedness, but the wickedness of a woman:

12. 14 And any affliction, but the affliction from them that hate me: and any revenge, but the revenge of enemies.

13. 15 There is no head above the head of a serpent; and there is no wrath above the wrath of an enemy.

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