Sirach 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.
1 In tribus placitum est spiritui meo,
quæ sunt probata coram Deo et hominibus:
quæ sunt probata coram Deo et hominibus:
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.
2 concordia fratrum,
et amor proximorum,
et vir et mulier bene sibi consentientes.
et amor proximorum,
et vir et mulier bene sibi consentientes.
3 If thou hast gathered nothing in thy youth, how canst thou find any thing in thine age?
3 Tres species odivit anima mea,
et aggravor valde animæ illorum:
et aggravor valde animæ illorum:
4 O how comely a thing is judgment for gray hairs, and for ancient men to know counsel!
4 pauperem superbum, divitem mendacem,
senem fatuum et insensatum.
senem fatuum et insensatum.
5 O how comely is the wisdom of old men, and understanding and counsel to men of honour!
5 ¶ Quæ in juventute tua non congregasti,
quomodo in senectute tua invenies?
quomodo in senectute tua invenies?
6 Much experience is the crown of old men, and the fear of God is their glory.
6 Quam speciosum canitiei judicium,
et presbyteris cognoscere consilium!
et presbyteris cognoscere consilium!
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:
7 Quam speciosa veteranis sapientia,
et gloriosus intellectus et consilium!
et gloriosus intellectus et consilium!
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:
8 Corona senum multa peritia,
et gloria illorum timor Dei.
et gloria illorum timor Dei.
9 Well is him that hath found prudence, and he that speaketh in the ears of them that will hear:
9 ¶ Novem insuspicabilia cordis magnificavi:
et decimum dicam in lingua hominibus:
et decimum dicam in lingua hominibus:
10 O how great is he that findeth wisdom! yet is there none above him that feareth the Lord.
10 homo qui jucundatur in filiis,
vivens et videns subversionem inimicorum suorum.
vivens et videns subversionem inimicorum suorum.
11 But the love of the Lord passeth all things for illumination: he that holdeth it, whereto shall he be likened?
11 Beatus qui habitat cum muliere sensata,
et qui lingua sua non est lapsus,
et qui non servivit indignis se.
et qui lingua sua non est lapsus,
et qui non servivit indignis se.
12 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of his love: and faith is the beginning of cleaving unto him.
12 Beatus qui invenit amicum verum,
et qui enarrat justitiam auri audienti.
et qui enarrat justitiam auri audienti.
13 Give me any plague, but the plague of the heart: and any wickedness, but the wickedness of a woman:
13 Quam magnus qui invenit sapientiam et scientiam!
sed non est super timentem Dominum.
sed non est super timentem Dominum.
14 And any affliction, but the affliction from them that hate me: and any revenge, but the revenge of enemies.
14 Timor Dei super omnia se superposuit.
15 There is no head above the head of a serpent; and there is no wrath above the wrath of an enemy.
15 Beatus homo cui donatum est habere timorem Dei:
qui tenet illum, cui assimilabitur?
qui tenet illum, cui assimilabitur?
16 I had rather dwell with a lion and a dragon, than to keep house with a wicked woman.
16 Timor Dei initium dilectionis ejus:
fidei autem initium agglutinandum est ei.
fidei autem initium agglutinandum est ei.
17 The wickedness of a woman changeth her face, and darkeneth her countenance like sackcloth.
17 ¶ Omnis plaga tristitia cordis est,
et omnis malitia nequitia mulieris.
et omnis malitia nequitia mulieris.
18 Her husband shall sit among his neighbours; and when he heareth it shall sigh bitterly.
18 Et omnem plagam, et non plagam videbit cordis:
19 All wickedness is but little to the wickedness of a woman: let the portion of a sinner fall upon her.
19 et omnem nequitiam, et non nequitiam mulieris:
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.
20 et omnem obductum, et non obductum odientium:
21 Stumble not at the beauty of a woman, and desire her not for pleasure.
21 et omnem vindictam, et non vindictam inimicorum.
22 A woman, if she maintain her husband, is full of anger, impudence, and much reproach.
22 Non est caput nequius super caput colubri,
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.
23 et non est ira super iram mulieris.
Commorari leoni et draconi placebit,
quam habitare cum muliere nequam.
Commorari leoni et draconi placebit,
quam habitare cum muliere nequam.
24 Of the woman came the beginning of sin, and through her we all die.
24 Nequitia mulieris immutat faciem ejus:
et obcæcat vultum suum tamquam ursus,
et quasi saccum ostendit.
In medio proximorum ejus
et obcæcat vultum suum tamquam ursus,
et quasi saccum ostendit.
In medio proximorum ejus
25 Give the water no passage; neither a wicked woman liberty to gad abroad.
25 ingemuit vir ejus,
et audiens suspiravit modicum.
et audiens suspiravit modicum.
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.
26 Brevis omnis malitia super malitiam mulieris:
sors peccatorum cadat super illam.
sors peccatorum cadat super illam.
27 Sicut ascensus arenosus in pedibus veterani,
sic mulier linguata homini quieto.
sic mulier linguata homini quieto.
28 Ne respicias in mulieris speciem,
et non concupiscas mulierem in specie.
et non concupiscas mulierem in specie.
29 Mulieris ira, et irreverentia,
et confusio magna.
et confusio magna.
30 Mulier si primatum habeat,
contraria est viro suo.
contraria est viro suo.
31 Cor humile, et facies tristis,
et plaga cordis, mulier nequam.
et plaga cordis, mulier nequam.
32 Manus debiles et genua dissoluta,
mulier quæ non beatificat virum suum.
mulier quæ non beatificat virum suum.
33 A muliere initium factum est peccati,
et per illam omnes morimur.
et per illam omnes morimur.
34 Non des aquæ tuæ exitum, nec modicum:
nec mulieri nequam veniam prodeundi.
nec mulieri nequam veniam prodeundi.
35 Si non ambulaverit ad manum tuam,
confundet te in conspectu inimicorum.
confundet te in conspectu inimicorum.
36 A carnibus tuis abscinde illam,
ne semper te abutatur.
ne semper te abutatur.
About the Latin Text
The Latin text displayed here is that of the Clementine Vulgate, as digitized by the Clementine Text Project.