New American Bible, Revised Edition

Ben Sira 9:1-9 New American Bible, Revised Edition (NABRE)

1. Do not be jealous of the wife of your bosom,lest you teach her to do evil against you.

2. Do not give a woman power over youto trample on your dignity.

3. Do not go near a strange woman,lest you fall into her snares.

4. Do not dally with a singer,lest you be captivated by her charms.

5. Do not entertain any thoughts about a virgin,lest you be enmeshed in damages for her.

6. Do not give yourself to a prostitutelest you lose your inheritance.

7. Do not look around the streets of the cityor wander through its squares.

8. Avert your eyes from a shapely woman;do not gaze upon beauty that is not yours;Through woman’s beauty many have been ruined,for love of it burns like fire.

9. Never recline at table with a married woman,or drink intoxicants with her,Lest your heart be drawn to herand you go down in blood to the grave.