Liber Ecclesiasticus, 25

1. in tribus placitum est spiritui meo quæ sunt probata coram Deo et hominibus

1. With three things my spirit is pleased, which are approved before God and men:

2. concordia fratrum et amor proximorum et vir et mulier sibi consentientes

2. The concord of brethren, and the love of neighbours, and mall and wife that agree well together.

3. tres species odivit anima mea et adgravor valde animæ illorum

3. Three sorts my soul hateth, and I am greatly grieved at their life:

4. pauperem superbum et divitem mendacem et senem fatuum et insensatum

4. A poor man that is proud: a rich man that is a liar: an old man that is a fool, and doting.

5. in juventute tua non congregasti et quomodo invenies eam in senectute tua

5. The things that thou hast not gathered in thy youth, how shalt thou find them in thy old age?

6. quam speciosum canitiæ judicium et presbyteris cognoscere consilium

6. O how comely is judgment for a grey head, and for ancients to know counsel!

7. quam speciosa veteranis sapientia et gloriosis intellectus et consilium

7. O how comely is wisdom for the aged, and understanding and counsel to men of honour!

8. corona senum multa peritia et gloria illorum timor Dei

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

9. novem insuspicabilia cordis magnificavi et decimum dicam in lingua hominibus

9. Nine things that are not to be imagined by the heart have I magnified, and the tenth I will utter to men with my tongue.

10. homo qui jucundatur in filiis vivens et videns subversionem inimicorum

10. A man that hath joy of his children: and he that liveth and seeth the fall of his enemies.

11. beatus qui inhabitat cum muliere sensata et qui in lingua sua non est lapsus et qui non servivit indignis se

11. Blessed is he. that dwelleth with a wise woman, and that hath not slipped with his tongue, and that hath not served such as are unworthy of him.

12. beatus qui invenit amicum verum et qui enarrat justitiam auri audienti

12. Blessed is he that findeth a true friend, and that declareth justice to an ear that heareth.

13. quam magnus qui invenit sapientiam et scientiam sed non est super timentem Deum

13. How great is he that findeth wisdom and knowledge! but there is none above him that feareth the Lord.

14. timor Dei super omnia superposuit

14. The fear of God hath set itself above all things:

15. beatus cui donatum est habere timorem Dei qui tenet illum cui adsimilabitur

15. Blessed is the man, to whom it is given to have the fear of God: he that holdeth it, to whom shall he be likened?

16. timor Dei initium dilectionis ejus fidei autem initium adglutinandum est ei

16. The fear of God is the beginning of his love: and the beginning of faith is to be fast joined unto it.

17. omnis plaga tristitia cordis est et omnis malitia nequitia mulieris est

17. The sadness of the heart is every plague: and the wickedness of a woman is all evil.

18. et omnem plagam et non plagam videbit cordis

18. And a man will choose any plague, but the plague of the heart:

19. et omnem nequitiam et non nequitiam mulieris

19. And ally wickedness, but the wickedness of a woman:

20. et omnem obductum et non obductum odientium

20. And any affliction, but the affliction from them that hate him:

21. et omnem vindictam et non vindictam inimicorum

21. And ally revenge, but the revenge of enemies.

22. non est caput nequius super caput colubri

22. There is no head worse than the head of a serpent:

23. et non est ira super iram inimici commorari leoni et draconi placebit quam habitare cum muliere nequa

23. And there is no anger above the anger of a woman. It will be more agreeable to abide with a lion and a dragon, than to dwell with a wicked woman.

24. nequitia mulieris inmutat faciem ejus et obcæcabit vultum suum tamquam ursus et quasi saccum ostendit in medio proximorum ejus

24. The wickedness of a woman changeth her face: and she darkeneth her countenance as a bear: and sheweth it like sackcloth. In the midst of her neighbours,

25. et audiens suspirabit modicum

25. Her husband groaned, and hearing he sighed a little.

26. brevis malitia super malitiam mulieris sors peccatorum cadat super illam

26. All malice is shore to the malice of a woman, let the lot of sinners fall upon her.

27. ascensus harenosus in pedibus veterani sic mulier linguata homini quieto

27. As the climbing of a sandy way is to the feet of the aged, so is a wife full of tongue to a quiet man.

28. ne respicias in mulieris speciem et non concupiscas mulierem in specie

28. Look not upon a woman's beauty, and desire not a woman for beauty.

29. mulieris ira et inreverentia et confusio magna

29. A woman's anger, and impudence, and confusion is great.

30. mulier si primatum habeat contraria est viro suo

30. A woman, if she have superiority, is contrary to her husband.

31. cor humile et facies tristis et plaga mortis mulier nequa

31. A wicked woman abateth the courage, and maketh a heavy countenance, and a wounded heart.

32. manus debiles et genua dissoluta mulier quæ non beatificat virum suum

32. Feeble hands, and disjointed knees, a woman that doth not make her husband happy.

33. a muliere initium factum est peccati et per illam omnes morimur

33. From the woman came the beginning of sin, and by her we all die.

34. non des aquæ tuæ exitum nec modicum nec mulieri nequa veniam prodeundi

34. Give no issue to thy water, no, not a little: nor to a wicked woman liberty to gad abroad.

35. si non ambulaverit ad manum tuam et confundet te in conspectu inimicorum

35. If she walk not at thy hand, she will confound thee in the sight of thy enemies.

36. a carnibus tuis abscide illam ne semper te abutatur

36. Cut her off from thy flesh, lest she always abuse thee.