Common English Bible

Sirach 25:14-25 Common English Bible (CEB)

14. Any attack,but not an attack by those who hate;and any vengeance,but not the vengeance of enemies.

15. No poison is worse than a snake’s poison,and no anger is worsethan an enemy’s anger.

16. I would rather live with a lion or a serpentthan live with a wicked woman.

17. A woman’s wickednesschanges her appearance,and it darkens her face like that of a bear.

18. Her husband sits down amonghis neighborsand unintentionally groans bitterly.

19. Any evil is smallwhen compared to a woman’s evil;may she experience a sinner’s fate.

20. A talkative wife for a quiet husbandis like a sand dunebeneath the feet of an elderly person.

21. Don’t fall for a woman’s beauty,and don’t long for a woman.

22. There will be anger, shamelessness,and utter disgracewhen a wife provides for her husband.

23. A wicked wife causes a humiliated heart,a gloomy face,and a wounded heart.Drooping hands and weakened kneescome from a womanwho doesn’t make her husband happy.

24. Sin began with a woman,and because of her all of us die.

25. Don’t allow an outlet for water,and don’t give a wicked wifefreedom to speak.