Sirach (Ecclesiasticus) 9

¹ Do not be jealous of the wife you love, or teach her lessons in evil to your detriment.

² Do not give your soul to a woman, for her to trample on your strength.

³ Do not keep company with a harlot, in case you get entangled in her snares.

⁴ Do not dally with a singing girl, in case you get caught by her wiles.

⁵ Do not stare at a virgin, in case you and she incur the same punishment.

⁶ Do not give your soul to whores, or you will ruin your inheritance.

⁷ Keep your eyes to yourself in the streets of a town, do not prowl about its unfrequented quarters.

⁸ Turn your eyes away from a handsome woman, do not stare at the beauty that belongs to someone else. Woman’s beauty has led many astray; it kindles desire like a flame.

⁹ Never sit down with a married woman, or sit at table with her drinking wine, in case you succumb to her charms, and in your ardour you slide down to your ruin.

¹⁰ Do not desert an old friend; the new one will not be his match. New friend, new wine; when it grows old, you drink it with pleasure.

¹¹ Do not envy the sinner his success; you do not know what turn his career will take.

¹² Do not take pleasure in what pleases the godless; remember they will not go unpunished to their grave.

¹³ Keep your distance from the man who has the power to put to death, and you will not be haunted by the fear of dying. If you do approach him, make no false move, or he may take your life. Realise that you are treading among trip-lines, that you are strolling on the battlements.

¹⁴ Cultivate your neighbours as far as you can, and consult with wise men.

¹⁵ For conversation seek intelligent men, let all your discussions bear on the law of the Most High.

¹⁶ Have virtuous men for your table companions, and let your pride be in fearing the Lord.

¹⁷ Work from skilled hands will earn its praise, but a leader of the people must be shrewd of speech.

¹⁸ A phrase-maker is a terror to his town, a loose talker is detested.