Sirach 26

1Happy is the husband of a good wife; And the number of his days will be twofold.

2A brave woman rejoices her husband; And he will fulfil his years in peace.

3A good wife is a good portion: She will be given in the portion of such as fear the Lord.

4Whether a man be rich or poor, A good heart makes at all times a cheerful countenance.

5Of three things my heart was afraid; And concerning the fourth kind I made supplication: The slander of a city, and the assembly of a multitude, and a false accusation: All these are more grievous than death.

6A grief of heart and sorrow is a woman that is jealous of another woman, And the scourge of a tongue communicating to all.

7A wicked woman is as a yoke of oxen shaken to and fro: He that takes hold of her is as one that graspeth a scorpion.

8A drunken woman causes great wrath; And she will not cover her own shame.

9The whoredom of a woman is in the lifting up of her eyes; And it will be known by her eyelids.

10Keep strict watch on a headstrong daughter, Lest she find liberty for herself, and use it.

11Look well after an impudent eye; And marvel not if it trespass against you.

12She will open her mouth, as a thirsty traveller, And drink of every water that is near: At every post will she sit down, And open her quiver against any arrow.

13The grace of a wife will delight her husband; And her knowledge will fatten his bones.

14A silent woman is a gift of the Lord; And there is nothing so much worth as a well-instructed soul.

15A shamefast woman is grace upon grace; And there is no price worthy of a continent soul.

16As the sun when it arises in the highest places of the Lord, So is the beauty of a good wife in the ordering of a man’s house.

17As the lamp that shineth upon the holy candlestick, So is the beauty of the face in ripe age.

18As the golden pillars are upon a base of silver, So are beautiful feet with the breasts of one that is stedfast.

28For two things my heart is grieved; And for the third anger comes upon me: A man of war that suffers for poverty; And men of understanding that are counted as refuse: One that turns back from righteousness to sin; The Lord will prepare him for the sword.

29A merchant shall hardly keep himself from wrong doing; And a huckster will not be acquitted of sin.