Sirach 40:19–27
19Children and the building of a city establish a name. A blameless wife is better than both.↗
20Wine and music rejoice the heart. The love of wisdom is better than both.↗
21The pipe and the lute make pleasant melody. A pleasant tongue is better than both.↗
22Your eye desires grace and beauty, but the green shoots of grain more than both.↗
23A friend and a companion is always welcome, and a wife with her husband is better than both.↗
24Relatives and helpers are for a time of affliction, but almsgiving rescues better than both.↗
25Gold and silver will make the foot stand sure, and counsel is esteemed better than both.↗
26Riches and strength will lift up the heart. The fear of the Lord is better than both. There is nothing lacking in the fear of the Lord. In it, there is no need to seek help.↗
27The fear of the Lord is like a garden of blessing and covers a man more than any glory.↗
Source: World English Bible (Catholic), public domain. Text is taken directly from the source. Headings are editorial, not biblical verses.
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