Sirach 25
25
Three Things Make Me Happy
1Three things
make me happy
and are beautiful to the Lord
and to humans:
a family that agrees,
neighbors who are friends,
and a happy marriage.
2But I hate three kinds of people
and the way they live:
the poor that brag,
the rich that tell lies,
and the old that are foolish
and unfaithful in marriage.
3If you don't start learning
when you are young,
you will have no wisdom
when you grow old.
4Good sense and sound advice
are beautiful in those
whose hair is now gray.
5Wisdom and understanding
are just right for the old
and honorable.
6They have seen so many things,
but they only boast
that they fear the Lord.
7Ten kinds of people
can be called truly happy:
those who enjoy their children,
and those who live long enough
to see their enemies fall;
8men who have sensible wives,
farmers that do not hitch
a donkey and an ox
to one plow,#25.8 farmers … plow: One ancient translation; the Greek text does not have these words.
people who don't sin
by what they say,
and servants whose masters
have as much ability
as the servants do;
9people with common sense,
and those who speak to others
who are really listening.
* 10The person who finds wisdom
finds great happiness,
but happiest of all is the one
who fears the Lord,
11because fearing him
is more important
than anything else.
12And it is the first step
in loving him,
just as having faith
is the first step in becoming
one of his followers.#25.12 followers: Verse 12 is not in some manuscripts.
Advice about Women
13The breaking of your heart
by an evil woman
is the most painful
of all injuries.
14No suffering seems worse
than when an enemy hates you
and takes revenge,
15but a woman's anger is strongest,
just as snakes have
the strongest poison.
16I would be happier to live
with a lion and a dragon
than to be married
to an evil woman.
17An evil woman's face is changed
into something dark,
like the face of a bear.
18Her husband is depressed,
sighing bitterly
even among his friends.
19The sins of men are small
compared to those of women,
and I pray that women who sin
will be severely punished.
20It is easier for an old person
to climb a hill of sand
than for a quiet man to live
with a chattering wife.
21Do not be taken captive
by the beauty of a woman,
and don't desire her wealth.#25.21 her wealth: Hebrew; Greek “a woman.”
22When the wife's possessions
support the family,
their home will be filled
with anger, insults,
and shame.
23An evil wife brings no happiness
to her husband;
instead, she makes him sad
and depressed;
she breaks his heart,
and he is afraid
to make any decisions.
24Sin began with the first woman,
and because of her
we all must die.
25Do not let water leak
from your storage jars,
and if your wife is evil,
don't let her talk in public.
26If she will not obey you,
then get a divorce.
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Sirach 25: CEVDCI
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Contemporary English Version, Second Edition (CEV®)
© 2006 American Bible Society. All rights reserved.