the Lord Almighty is God alone, and beside him there is no other Saviour.
[25] He filleth all things with his wisdom, as Phison and as Tigris in the time of the new fruits.
[26] He maketh the understanding to abound like Euphrates, and as Jordan in the time of the harvest.
[27] He maketh the doctrine of knowledge appear as the light, and as Geon in the time of vintage.
[28] The first man knew her not perfectly: no more shall the last find her out.
[29] For her thoughts are more than the sea, and her counsels profounder than the great deep.
[30] I also came out as a brook from a river, and as a conduit into a garden.
[31] I said, I will water my best garden, and will water abundantly my garden bed: and, lo, my brook became a river, and my river became a sea.
[32] I will yet make doctrine to shine as the morning, and will send forth her light afar off.
[33] I will yet pour out doctrine as prophecy, and leave it to all ages for ever.
[34] Behold that I have not laboured for myself only, but for all them that seek wisdom.

Sir.25

[1] In three things I was beautified, and stood up beautiful both before God and men: the unity of brethren, the love of neighbours, a man and a wife that agree together.
[2] Three sorts of men my soul hateth, and I am greatly offended at their life: a poor man that is proud, a rich man that is a liar, and an old adulterer that doateth.
[3] If thou hast gathered nothing in thy youth, how canst thou find any thing in thine age?
[4] O how comely a thing is judgment for gray hairs, and for ancient men to know counsel!
[5] O how comely is the wisdom of old men, and understanding and counsel to men of honour.
[6] Much experience is the crown of old men, and the fear of God is their glory.
[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:
[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:
[9] Well is him that hath found prudence, and he that speaketh in the ears of them that will hear:
[10] O how great is he that findeth wisdom! yet is there none above him that feareth the Lord.
[11] But the love of the Lord passeth all things for illumination: he that holdeth it, whereto shall he be likened?
[12] The fear of the Lord is the beginning of his love: and faith is the beginning of cleaving unto him.
[13] [Give me] any plague, but the plague of the heart: and any wickedness, but the wickedness of a woman:
[14] And any affliction, but the affliction from them that hate me: and any revenge, but the revenge of enemies.
[15] There is no head above the head of a serpent; and there is no wrath above the wrath of an enemy.
[16] I had rather dwell with a lion and a dragon, than to keep house with a wicked woman.
[17] The wickedness of a woman changeth her face, and darkeneth her countenance like sackcloth.
[18] Her husband shall sit among his neighbours; and when he heareth it shall sigh bitterly.
[19] All wickedness is but little to the wickedness of a woman: let the portion of a sinner fall upon her.
[20] 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.
[21] Stumble not at the beauty of a woman, and desire her not for pleasure.
[22] A woman, if she maintain her husband, is full of anger, impudence, and much reproach.
[23] 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.
[24] Of the woman came the beginning of sin, and through her we all die.
[25] Give the water no passage; neither a wicked woman liberty to gad abroad.
[26] 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.

Sir.26

[1] Blessed is the man that hath a virtuous wife, for the number of his days shall be double.
[2] A virtuous woman rejoiceth her husband, and he shall fulfil the years of his life in peace.
[3] A good wife is a good portion, which shall be given in the portion of them that fear the Lord.
[4] Whether a man be rich or poor, if he have a good heart toward the Lord, he shall at all times rejoice with a cheerful countenance.
[5] There be three things that mine heart feareth; and for the fourth I was sore afraid: the slander of a city, the gathering together of an unruly multitude, and a false accusation: all these are worse than death.
[6] But a grief of heart and sorrow is a woman that is jealous over another woman, and a scourge of the tongue which communicateth with all.
[7] An evil wife is a yoke shaken to and fro: he that hath hold of her is as though he held a scorpion.
[8] A drunken woman and a gadder abroad causeth great anger, and she will not cover her own shame.
[9] The whoredom of a woman may be known in her haughty