Old Testament

New Testament

Sirach (Ecclesiasticus) 25:15-25 Good News Bible Catholic Edition (GNBDK)

15. No poison is deadlier than the poison of a snake, and no anger is deadlier than the anger of a woman.

16. I would rather live in the same house with a lion or a dragon than with a bad wife.

17. When a wife is in a bad mood, her expression changes until she looks like an angry bear.

18. Her husband has to go and eat with the neighbours, where he can't hold back his bitter sighs.

19. Compared with the troubles caused by a woman, any other trouble looks small. May such women suffer the fate of sinners!

20. A quiet man living with a nagging wife is like an old man climbing up a sandy hill.

21. Never lose your head over a woman's beauty, and don't try to win a woman because she is wealthy.

22. When a man is supported by his wife, there is sure to be anger, arrogance, and humiliation.

23. A bad wife will make her husband gloomy and depressed, and break his heart. Show me a timid man who can never make up his mind, and I will show you a wife who doesn't make her husband happy.

24. Sin began with a woman, and we must all die because of her.

25. Don't let a bad wife have her way, any more than you would allow water to leak from your cistern.

Read complete chapter Sirach (Ecclesiasticus) 25