1 Don’t be jealous over the wife of your bosom, and don’t teach her an evil lesson against yourself. (WEB) 2 Don’t give your soul to a woman and let her trample down your strength. (WEB) 3 Don’t go to meet a woman who plays the prostitute, lest perhaps you fall into her snares. (WEB) 4 Don’t associate with a woman who is a singer, lest perhaps you be caught by her tricks. (WEB) 5 Don’t gaze at a virgin, lest perhaps you stumble and incur penalties for her. (WEB) 6 Don’t give your soul to prostitutes, that you not lose your inheritance. (WEB) 7 Don’t look around in the streets of the city. Don’t wander in its deserted places. (WEB) 8 Turn your eye away from a beautiful woman, and don’t gaze at another’s beauty. Many have been led astray by the beauty of a woman; and with this, passion is kindled like a fire. (WEB) 9 Don’t dine at all with a woman who has a husband, or revel with her at wine, lest perhaps your soul turn away to her, and with your spirit you slide into destruction. (WEB) 10 Don’t forsake an old friend; for a new one is not comparable to him. A new friend is like new wine: if it becomes old, you will drink it with gladness. (WEB) 11 Don’t envy the success of a sinner; for you don’t know what his end will be. (WEB) 12 Don’t delight in the delights of the ungodly. Remember they will not go unpunished to the grave. (WEB) 13 Keep yourself far from the man who has power to kill, and you will not be troubled by the fear of death. If you come to him, commit no fault, lest he take away your life. Know surely that you go about in the midst of snares, and walk upon the battlements of a city. (WEB) 14 As well as you can, aim to know your neighbors, and take counsel with the wise. (WEB) 15 Let your conversation be with men of understanding. Let all your discourse be in the law of the Most High. (WEB) 16 Let righteous people be companions at your table. Let your glorying be in the fear of the Lord. (WEB) 17 A work is commended because of the skill of the artisan; so he who rules the people will be considered wise for his speech. (WEB) 18 A loudmouthed man is dangerous in his city. He who is reckless in his speech will be hated. (WEB)
Sirach 9:1–18
Semantically similar passages
Sirach 25:20–22
20 As walking up a sandy hill is to the feet of the aged, so is a wife full of words to a quiet man. (WEB) 21 Don’t be ensnared by a woman’s beauty. Don’t desire a woman for her beauty. (WEB) 22 There is anger, impudence, and great reproach if a woman supports her husband. (WEB)
Proverbs 31:2–4
2 What shall I say, O my son? What, O son of my womb? What, O son of my vows? 3 Do not spend your strength on women or your vigor on those who ruin kings. 4 It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine, or for rulers to crave strong drink,
Proverbs 24:1–2
1 Do not envy wicked men or desire their company; 2 for their hearts devise violence, and their lips declare trouble.
Proverbs 6:24–26
24 to keep you from the evil woman, from the smooth tongue of the adulteress. 25 Do not lust in your heart for her beauty or let her captivate you with her eyes. 26 For the levy of the prostitute is poverty, and the adulteress preys upon your very life.
Proverbs 7:24–26
24 Now, my sons, listen to me, and attend to the words of my mouth. 25 Do not let your heart turn aside to her ways; do not stray into her paths. 26 For she has brought many down to death; her slain are many in number.
Sirach 42:11–13
11 Keep a strict watch over a headstrong daughter, lest she make you a laughingstock to your enemies, a byword in the city and notorious among the people, and shame you in public. (WEB) 12 Don’t gaze at every beautiful body. Don’t sit in the midst of women. (WEB) 13 For from garmen… (WEB)
1 Corinthians 15:32–34
32 If I fought wild beasts in Ephesus for human motives, what did I gain? If the dead are not raised, “Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die.” 33 Do not be deceived: “Bad company corrupts good character.” 34 Sober up as you ought, and stop sinning; for some of you a…
Testament of Reuben 2:19–21
19 And the women lusting in their minds after their forms, gave birth to giants, for the Watchers appeared to them as reaching even unto heaven. (T12) 20 Beware, therefore, of fornication; and if you wish to be pure in mind, guard your senses from every woman. (T12) 21 And command… (T12)
Search the collection All books and codes Translations and sources