Sirach 42:10–18

¹⁰in her virginity, lest she should be defiled and be with child in her father’s house; when she has a husband, lest she should transgress; and when she is married, lest she should be barren.↗

¹¹Keep a strict watch over a headstrong daughter, lest she make you a laughingstock to your enemies, a byword in the city and notorious among the people, and shame you in public.↗

¹²Don’t gaze at every beautiful body. Don’t sit in the midst of women.↗

¹³For from garments comes a moth, and from a woman comes a woman’s wickedness.↗

¹⁴Better is the wickedness of a man than a pleasant woman, a woman who puts you to shame and disgrace.↗

¹⁵I will make mention now of the works of the Lord, and will declare the things that I have seen. The Lord’s works are in his words.↗

¹⁶The sun that gives light looks at all things. The Lord’s work is full of his glory.↗

¹⁷The Lord has not given power to the saints to declare all his marvelous works, which the Almighty Lord firmly settled, that the universe might be established in his glory.↗

¹⁸He searches out the deep and the heart. He has understanding of their secrets. For the Most High knows all knowledge. He sees the signs of the world.↗