The In-Dept Study of the Bible
Ecclesiaticus 09
1 Don’t be jealous over the wife of your
bosom, and don’t teach her an evil lesson
against yourself.
2 Don’t give your soul to a woman
and let her trample down your strength.
3 Don’t go to meet a woman who plays the
prostitute, lest perhaps you fall
into her snares.
4 Don’t associate with a woman who is a
singer, lest perhaps you be caught
by her tricks.
5 Don’t gaze at a virgin, lest perhaps
you stumble and incur penalties for her.
6 Don’t give your soul to prostitutes,
that you not lose your inheritance.
7 Don’t look around in the streets of the
city. Don’t wander in its deserted places.
8 Turn your eye away from a beautiful
woman, and don’t gaze at another’s beauty.
Manyhave beenled astray by the beauty of
a woman; and with this, passion
is kindled like a fire.
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.
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.
11 Don’t envy the success of a sinner;
for you don’t know what his end will be.
12 Don’t delight in the delights of the ungodly.
Remember they will not go unpunished to‡ the grave.
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.
14 As well as you can, aim to know your
neighbors, and take counsel with the wise.
15 Let your conversation be with men of
understanding. Let all your discourse
be in the law of the Most High.
16 Let righteous people be companions at
your table. Let your glorying be in the
fear of the Lord.
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.
18 A loudmouthed man is dangerous in his
city. He who is reckless inhis speech will be
hated.