Sirach 9
One should be cautious in relationships, particularly with women, to avoid being led astray by their beauty or desires. It is also important to be mindful of the company one keeps, avoiding those who may lead to harm or death. True glory and praise come from fearing God and following His precepts, and one should surround themselves with just and wise companions.
1You should not be jealous of the wife of your bosom, lest she reveal, because of you, the malice of a wicked lesson2You should not give authority over your soul to a woman, lest she obtain your strength, and then you would be confounded3You should not look with favor on a woman with many desires, lest perhaps you may fall into her traps4You should not be continually in need of entertainment, nor should you be persuaded by it, lest perhaps you may perish by its effectiveness5You should not stare at a virgin, lest perhaps you may be scandalized by her beauty6You should not give your soul, in any way, to fornicators, lest you destroy yourself and your inheritance7Do not choose to look around in the streets of the city, nor should you wander along its thoroughfares8Avert your face from an ornate woman, for you should not gaze upon strange beauty9Many have perished because of the beauty of a woman; and by this, desire is kindled like a fire10Every woman who is a fornicator will be trampled down, like the filth in the street11Many, by admiring the beauty of the wife of another, have become reprobate. For familiarity with her flares up like a fire12You should not sit down at all with another man’s wife, nor recline with her on a couch13And 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 perdition14You should not abandon an old friend. For a new one will not be similar to him15A new friend is like new wine. It will grow old, and then you will enjoy drinking it16You should not envy the glory and wealth of a sinner. For you do not know what may be his undoing in the future17The injury of the unjust should not please you, knowing that, until they are in hell, the impious will not please18Keep yourself far from a man having the power to kill, and then you will not have the fear of death suspended over you19But if you do approach him, do nothing to offend, lest perhaps he may take away your life20Know that this is a communion with death. For you would be entering the midst of snares, and walking upon the arms of the grieving21According to your ability, be cautious of your neighbor, and treat him as the wise and prudent would22Let just men be your companions, and let your glory be in the fear of God23And let the thought of God be in your mind, and let all your discourse be on the precepts of the Most High24Works 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 understanding25A man full of words is a dread to his city, but one who speaks rashly will be hated for his word
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