1 In three things I was beautified, and stoode vp beautiful, both before God and men: the vnitie of brethren, the loue of neighbours, a man and a wife that agree together.

2 Three sorts of men my soule hateth, and I am greatly offended at their life: a poore man that is proud, a rich man that is a lyar, and an olde adulterer that doteth.

3 If thou hast gathered nothing in thy youth, how canst thou finde any thing in thine age?

4 Oh how comely a thing is iudgement for gray haires, and for ancient men to know counsell?

5 Oh how comely is the wisedome of olde men, and vnderstanding and counsell to men of honour?

6 Much experience is the crowne of olde men, and the feare of God is their glory.

7 There be nine things which I haue iudged in mine heart to be happy, and the tenth I will vtter with my tongue: a man that hath ioy of his children, and he that liueth to see the fall of his enemie.

8 Well is him that dwelleth with a wife of vnderstanding, and that hath not slipped with his tongue, and that hath not serued a man more vnworthy then himselfe.

9 Well is him that hath found prudence, and he that speaketh in the eares of him that will heare.

10 Oh how great is he that findeth wisedome! yet is there none aboue him that feareth the Lord.

11 But the loue of the Lord passeth all things for illumination: he that holdeth it, whereto shall he be likened?

12 The feare of the Lord is the beginning of his loue: and faith is the beginning of cleauing vnto him.

13 Giue mee any plague, but the plague of the heart: and any wickednesse, but the wickednesse of a woman.

14 And any affliction, but the affliction from them that hate me: and any reuenge, but the reuenge of enemies.

15 There is no head aboue the head of a serpent, and there is no wrath aboue the wrath of an enemie.

16 I had rather dwell with a lyon and a dragon, then to keepe house with a wicked woman.

17 The wickednesse of a woman changeth her face, and darkeneth her countenance like sackecloth.

18 Her husband shall sit among his neighbours: and when hee heareth it, shall sigh bitterly.

19 All wickednesse is but little to the wickednesse of a woman: let the portion of a sinner fall vpon her.

20 As the climbing vp a sandie way is to the feete of the aged, so is a wife full of words to a quiet man.

21 Stumble not at the beautie of a woman, and desire her not for pleasure.

22 A woman, if shee maintaine her husband, is full of anger, impudencie, and much reproch.

23 A wicked woman abateth the courage, maketh a heauie countenance, and a wounded heart: a woman that will not comfort her husband in distresse maketh weake hands, and feeble knees.

24 Of the woman came the beginning of sinne, & through her wee all die.

25 Giue the water no passage: neither a wicked woman libertie to gad abroad.

26 If she goe not as thou wouldest haue her, cut her off from thy flesh, and giue her a bill of diuorce, and let her goe.