CPDV - Sirach - 9

9:1  You should not be jealous of the wife of your bosom, lest she reveal, because of you, the malice of a wicked lesson.

9:2  You should not give authority over your soul to a woman, lest she obtain your strength, and then you would be confounded.

9:3  You should not look with favor on a woman with many desires, lest perhaps you may fall into her traps.

9:4  You should not be continually in need of entertainment, nor should you be persuaded by it, lest perhaps you may perish by its effectiveness.

9:5  You should not stare at a virgin, lest perhaps you may be scandalized by her beauty.

9:6  You should not give your soul, in any way, to fornicators, lest you destroy yourself and your inheritance.

9:7  Do not choose to look around in the streets of the city, nor should you wander along its thoroughfares.

9:8  Avert your face from an ornate woman, for you should not gaze upon strange beauty.

9:9  Many have perished because of the beauty of a woman; and by this, desire is kindled like a fire.

9:10  Every woman who is a fornicator will be trampled down, like the filth in the street.

9:11  Many, by admiring the beauty of the wife of another, have become reprobate. For familiarity with her flares up like a fire.

9:12  You should not sit down at all with another man’s wife, nor recline with her on a couch.

9:13  And you should not argue with her over wine, lest perhaps your heart may turn toward her, and by your emotion, you would be toppled into perdition.

9:14  You should not abandon an old friend. For a new one will not be similar to him.

9:15  A new friend is like new wine. It will grow old, and then you will enjoy drinking it.

9:16  You should not envy the glory and wealth of a sinner. For you do not know what may be his undoing in the future.

9:17  The injury of the unjust should not please you, knowing that, until they are in hell, the impious will not please.

9:18  Keep yourself far from a man having the power to kill, and then you will not have the fear of death suspended over you.

9:19  But if you do approach him, do nothing to offend, lest perhaps he may take away your life.

9:20  Know that this is a communion with death. For you would be entering the midst of snares, and walking upon the arms of the grieving.

9:21  According to your ability, be cautious of your neighbor, and treat him as the wise and prudent would.

9:22  Let just men be your companions, and let your glory be in the fear of God.

9:23  And let the thought of God be in your mind, and let all your discourse be on the precepts of the Most High.

9:24  Works will be praised for the hands of the artists, and a leader of the people will be praised for the wisdom of his words, yet truly, the word of the elders will be praised for its understanding.

9:25  A man full of words is a dread to his city, but one who speaks rashly will be hated for his word.