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Wisdom of Ben Sira 25:12-14
New Catholic Bible
Wisdom of Ben Sira 25:12-14
New Catholic Bible
[12 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of loving him,
and faith is the beginning of clinging to him.][a]
Wicked and Virtuous Women[b]
13 Any wound is preferable to a wound of the heart;
any wickedness is better than the wickedness of a woman.
14 Any suffering is preferable to that inflicted by those who hate;
any vengeance is better than that devised by a foe.
Footnotes
- Wisdom of Ben Sira 25:12 Added by some early MSS.
- Wisdom of Ben Sira 25:13 The author seems to be partial and pessimistic in his diatribe against wicked women. Nonetheless, twice in the present text the trial of the wicked woman is followed by the praise of the wife endowed with charm and virtue. The image of the detestable woman is probably painted in more somber colors to make us better appreciate how great a treasure is the gracious and sensible wife.
