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Wisdom of Ben Sira 25:1-3
New Catholic Bible
Wisdom of Ben Sira 25:1-3
New Catholic Bible
Reflections for Daily Life
Chapter 25
Desirable Things and Undesirable Things
1 There are three things in which I delight,
and they are beautiful in the sight of the Lord and of men:[a]
concord among brethren, friendship among neighbors,
and a husband and wife who live in perfect harmony.
2 There are three kinds of men I hate,
for their manner of life I consider loathsome:
a pride-filled poor man, a lying rich man,
and a lecherous old fool.
The Glory of the Aged[b]
3 If you have gathered nothing in your youth,
how can you discover anything in your old age?
Footnotes
- Wisdom of Ben Sira 25:1 I delight . . . and of men: Greek reads: “I was beautified in three things and I stood in beauty before both the Lord and men.”
- Wisdom of Ben Sira 25:3 The author holds up as a model the aged who have acquired wisdom: their glory is the fear of the Lord.