CHAP. XXV.

1 What things are beautifull, and what hatefull. 6 What is the crowne of age. 7 What things make men happy. 13 Nothing worse then a wicked woman.

¹ In three things I was beautified, and stoode vp beautiful, both before God and men: the vnitie of brethren, the loue of neighbours, a man and a wife that agree together.¹

² Three sorts of men my soule hateth, and I am greatly offended at their life: a poore man that is proud, a rich man that is a lyar, and an olde adulterer that doteth.

³ If thou hast gathered nothing in thy youth, how canst thou finde any thing in thine age?

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⁴ Oh how comely a thing is iudgement for gray haires, and for ancient men to know counsell?

⁵ Oh how comely is the wisedome of olde men, and vnderstanding and counsell to men of honour?

⁶ Much experience is the crowne of olde men, and the feare of God is their glory.

⁷ There be nine things which I haue iudged in mine heart to be happy, and the tenth I will vtter with my tongue: a man that hath ioy of his children, and he that liueth to see the fall of his enemie.

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⁸ Well is him that dwelleth with a wife of vnderstanding, and that hath not slipped with his tongue, and that hath not serued a man more vnworthy then himselfe.⁸

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⁹ Well is him that hath found prudence, and he that speaketh in the eares of him that will heare.⁹

¹⁰ Oh how great is he that findeth wisedome! yet is there none aboue him that feareth the Lord.

¹¹ But the loue of the Lord passeth all things for illumination: he that holdeth it, whereto shall he be likened?¹¹

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¹² The feare of the Lord is the beginning of his loue: and faith is the beginning of cleauing vnto him.

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¹³ [Giue mee] any plague, but the plague of the heart: and any wickednesse, but the wickednesse of a woman.

¹⁴ And any affliction, but the affliction from them that hate me: and any reuenge, but the reuenge of enemies.

¹⁵ There is no head aboue the head of a serpent, and there is no wrath aboue the wrath of an enemie.

¹⁶ I had rather dwell with a lyon and a dragon, then to keepe house with a wicked woman.¹⁶

¹⁷ The wickednesse of a woman changeth her face, and darkeneth her countenance like sackecloth.¹⁷

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¹⁸ Her husband shall sit among his neighbours: and when hee heareth it, shall sigh bitterly.

¹⁹ All wickednesse is but little to the wickednesse of a woman: let the portion of a sinner fall vpon her.

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²⁰ As the climbing vp a sandie way is to the feete of the aged, so is a wife full of words to a quiet man.²⁰

²¹ Stumble not at the beautie of a woman, and desire her not for pleasure.²¹

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²² A woman, if shee maintaine her husband, is full of anger, impudencie, and much reproch.

²³ A wicked woman abateth the courage, maketh a heauie countenance, and a wounded heart: a woman that will not comfort her husband in distresse maketh weake hands, and feeble knees.

²⁴ Of the woman came the beginning of sinne, & through her wee all die.²⁴

²⁵ Giue the water no passage: neither a wicked woman libertie to gad abroad.

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²⁶ If she goe not as thou wouldest haue her, cut her off from thy flesh, and giue her a bill of diuorce, and let her goe.