Chapter 25 _{10 O how great is he that findeth wisdom! yet is there none above him that feareth the Lord.11 But the love of the Lord passeth all things for illumination: he that holdeth it, whereto shall he be likened?12 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of his love: and faith is the beginning of cleaving unto him.13 [Give me] any plague, but the plague of the heart: and any wickedness, but the wickedness of a woman:14 And any affliction, but the affliction from them that hate me: and any revenge, but the revenge 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 had rather dwell with a lion and a dragon, than to keep house with a wicked woman.17 The wickedness of a woman changeth her face, and darkeneth her countenance like sackcloth.18 Her husband shall sit among his neighbours; and when he heareth it shall sigh bitterly.19 All wickedness is but little to the wickedness of a woman: let the portion of a sinner fall upon her.20 As the climbing up a sandy way is to the feet of the aged, so is a wife full of words to a quiet man.21 Stumble not at the beauty of a woman, and desire her not for pleasure.22 A woman, if she maintain her husband, is full of anger, impudence, and much reproach.23 A wicked woman abateth the courage, maketh an heavy countenance and a wounded heart: a woman that will not comfort her husband in distress maketh weak hands and feeble knees.24 Of the woman came the beginning of sin, and through her we all die.25 Give the water no passage; neither a wicked woman liberty to gad abroad.26 If she go not as thou wouldest have her, cut her off from thy flesh, and give her a bill of divorce, and let her go.}

Chapter 26 _{1 Blessed is the man that hath a virtuous wife, for the number of his days shall be double.2 A virtuous woman rejoiceth her husband, and he shall fulfil the years of his life in peace.3 A good wife is a good portion, which shall be given in the portion of them that fear the Lord.4 Whether a man be rich or poor, if he have a good heart toward the Lord, he shall at all times rejoice with a cheerful countenance.5 There be three things that mine heart feareth; and for the fourth I was sore afraid: the slander of a city, the gathering together of an unruly multitude, and a false accusation: all these are worse than death.6 But a grief of heart and sorrow is a woman that is jealous over another woman, and a scourge of the tongue which communicateth with all.7 An evil wife is a yoke shaken to and fro: he that hath hold of her is as though he held a scorpion.8 A drunken woman and a gadder abroad causeth great anger, and she will not cover her own shame.9 The whoredom of a woman may be known in her haughty looks and eyelids.10 If thy daughter be shameless, keep her in straitly, lest she abuse herself through overmuch liberty.11 Watch over an impudent eye: and marvel not if she trespass against thee.12 She will open her mouth, as a thirsty traveller when he hath found a fountain, and drink of every water near her: by every hedge will she sit down, and open her quiver against every arrow.13 The grace of a wife delighteth her husband, and her discretion will fatten his bones.14 A silent and loving woman is a gift of the Lord; and there is nothing so much worth as a mind well instructed.15 A shamefaced and faithful woman is a double grace, and her continent mind cannot be valued.16 As the sun when it ariseth in the high heaven; so is the beauty of a good wife in the ordering of her house.17 As the clear light is upon the holy candlestick; so is the beauty of the face in ripe age.18 As the golden pillars are upon the sockets of silver; so are the fair feet with a constant heart.}