Sirach 42:9–14

9 dA daughter is to a father ea treasure of sleeplessnesse,

fAnd the care of her banisheth slumberf:

In her youth, lest gshe pass the flower of her ageg,

And hwhen she is marriedh, ilest she be hatedi;

10 d iiIn her virginityii, lest she be seduced,

j kAnd in the house of her husbandk, kklest she prove unfaithfulkk;

In her father’s house, lest lshe become pregnantl j,

mAnd in her husband’s housem, lest she be barren.

11 nOver thy daughter keep a strict watchn,

oLest she make thee a name of evil odouro—

HB A byword in the city pand accursed of the peoplep—

qAnd shame theeq rin the assembly of the gater.

sIn the place where she lodgeth tlet there be no latticet,

uOr spot overlooking the entrance round aboutu s.

12 vLet her not show her beauty to any malev,

wand amongw wives let her not converse.

13 For from the garment issueth the moth,

And from a woman a woman’s wickedness.

14 x yBetter is the wickedness of a man than the goodness of a womany;

zAnd a disgraceful daughter poureth forth disgracez x.

In praise of God as Nature’s Lord.

(a) 42:15–25. Exordium

(= 1 + 2 + 2 + 2 + 2 + 2 + 2 + 2 distichs).