Sirach 9

Advice for Men

¹Love your wife,[#Nu 5.12-15.]

but don't act jealous—

that will only invite her

to hurt you.

²If you let yourself fall

under the spell of a woman,

she will walk all over you.

³You had best stay away

from an immoral woman,

or you will be caught

in her traps.

⁴Do not spend too much time

with a woman who sings

to entertain men—

she can use many tricks

to take control of you.

⁵Do not gaze too long[#Ex 22.16,17; Dt 22.28,29.]

at a virgin—

if you talk her into having sex,

you will have to pay a fine

and marry her.

⁶Don't let yourself be controlled

by a desire for prostitutes,

or you will lose everything

that you inherited.

⁷So don't look for them;

stay off the lonely streets

where they are found.

⁸Don't stare at a married woman

with a beautiful figure.

A woman's beauty

can set men on fire

and has led many astray.

⁹Never have dinner or drinks

with someone else's wife.

To fall in love with her

is to fall to your death.

Looking for Happiness

¹⁰Don't desert old friends—

like bottles of aged wine,

they bring cheer

more than new ones.

¹¹Don't be jealous of sinners

who receive praise;

you never can tell

how their life will end.

¹²Don't look for happiness

where ungodly people do.

You know they won't always

get away with their sins.

¹³Stay away from those

who are able to kill you,

and you won't live in fear

of death.

To be near them is to walk

through a field full of traps

or across a ledge

high on the city walls—

make one false step

and your life is over.

¹⁴Do your best to know

your close neighbors,

but only ask the wise ones

for advice.

¹⁵Speak with the wise

about the Law

of God Most High.

¹⁶Ask godly people over for dinner

and be proud

that you fear the Lord.

Leaders

¹⁷Craftsmen receive praise

if their work shows skill,

and the leaders of a nation

will be honored

for wise words.

¹⁸But loud, reckless leaders

are hated and feared.