[1] In three things I was beautified, And stood up beautiful before the Lord and men: The concord of brethren, and friendship of neighbors, And a woman and her husband that walk together in agreement.
[2] But three sortsof men my soul hates, And I am greatly offended at their life: A poor man that is haughty, and a rich man that is a liar, And an old man that is an adulterer lacking understanding.
[3] Inyour youth you have not gathered, And how should you find in your old age?
[4] How beautiful a thing is judgement for gray hairs, And for elders to know counsel!
[5] How beautiful is the wisdom of old men, And thought and counsel to men that are in honor!
[6] Much experience is the crown of old men; And their glorying is the fear of the Lord.
[7] There be nine things that I have thought of, and in mine heart counted happy; And the tenth I will utter with my tongue: A man that has joy of his children; A man that lives and looketh upon the fall of his enemies:
[8] Happy is he that dwells with a wife of understanding; And he that has not slipped with his tongue; And he that has not served a man that is unworthy of him:
[9] Happy is he that has found prudence; And he that discourseth in the ears of them that listen.
[10] How great is he that has found wisdom! Yet is there none above him that feareth the Lord.
[11] The fear of the Lord passeth all things: He that holds it, to whom shall he be likened?
[13] Give me any plague but the plague of the heart; And any wickedness but the wickedness of a woman;
[14] Any calamity, but a calamity from them that hate me; And any vengeance, but the vengeance of enemies.
[15] There is no head above the head of a serpent; And there is no wrath above the wrath of an enemy.
[16] I will rather dwell with a lion and a dragon, Than keep house with a wicked woman.
[17] The wickedness of a woman changeth her look, And darkeneth her countenance as a bear does.
[18] Her husband shall sit at meat among his neighbors, And when he hears it he sigheth bitterly.
[19] All malice is but little to the malice of a woman: Let the portion of a sinner fall on her.
[20] As the going up a sandy wayis to the feet of the aged, So is a wife full of words to a quiet man.
[21] Throw not thyself upon the beauty of a woman; And desire not a woman for her beauty.
[22] There is anger, and impudence, and great reproach, If a woman maintain her husband.
[23] A wicked woman is abasement of heart, And sadness of countenance, and a wounded heart: A woman that will not make her husband happy Isas hands that hang down, and palsied knees.
[24] From a womanwas the beginning of sin; And because of her we all die.
[25] Give not water an outlet; Neither to a wicked woman freedom of speech.
[26] If she go not as you would have her, Cut her off from your flesh.