Sirach 26

KING JAMES BIBLE	CATHOLIC PUBLIC DOMAIN
1 Blessed is the man that hath a virtuous wife, for the number of his days shall be double.	1 Blessed is the husband of a good wife. For the number of his years is doubled.
2 A virtuous woman rejoiceth her husband, and he shall fulfil the years of his life in peace.	2 A good wife delights her husband, and she will fill up the years of his life with peace.
3 A good wife is a good portion, which shall be given in the portion of them that fear the Lord.	3 A good wife is a good portion. She will be given the portion of those who fear God, like a man who has done good deeds.
4 Whether a man be rich or poor, if he have a good heart toward the Lord, he shall at all times rejoice with a cheerful countenance.	4 But, rich or poor, with a good heart, his countenance will be cheerful at all times.
5 There be three things that mine heart feareth; and for the fourth I was sore afraid: the slander of a city, the gathering together of an unruly multitude, and a false accusation: all these are worse than death.	5 Of three things, my heart has been afraid, and at a fourth, my face has shown dread:
6 But a grief of heart and sorrow is a woman that is jealous over another woman, and a scourge of the tongue which communicateth with all.	6 an accusation made by a city, and the gathering of a mob,
7 An evil wife is a yoke shaken to and fro: he that hath hold of her is as though he held a scorpion.	7 and a deceitful false accusation. All these are more grievous than death.
8 A drunken woman and a gadder abroad causeth great anger, and she will not cover her own shame.	8 A jealous wife is a grief and a mourning to the heart.
9 The whoredom of a woman may be known in her haughty looks and eyelids.	9 In a jealous wife, there is a scourge of the tongue, which communicates with everyone.
10 If thy daughter be shameless, keep her in straitly, lest she abuse herself through overmuch liberty.	10 Like a yoke of oxen being provoked, so also is a wicked wife. He who has hold of her is like one who has taken hold of a scorpion.
11 Watch over an impudent eye: and marvel not if she trespass against thee.	11 An inebriated wife is a great wrath. And her disgrace and indecency will not be covered.
12 She will open her mouth, as a thirsty traveller when he hath found a fountain, and drink of every water near her: by every hedge will she sit down, and open her quiver against every arrow.	12 The fornication of a wife will become known by the haughtiness of her eyes and by her eyelids.
13 The grace of a wife delighteth her husband, and her discretion will fatten his bones.	13 So that her daughter will not also turn away, keep a strict watch; otherwise, having found an opportunity, she may enjoy herself.
14 A silent and loving woman is a gift of the Lord; and there is nothing so much worth as a mind well instructed.	14 Be wary of the irreverence of her eyes, and you should not wonder if she might disregard you.
15 A shamefaced and faithful woman is a double grace, and her continent mind cannot be valued.	15 Like a thirsty traveler, she will open her mouth to the fountain, and she will drink from every water nearby, and she will sit down beside every fencepost, and she will open her quiver to every arrow, until she becomes weary.
16 As the sun when it ariseth in the high heaven; so is the beauty of a good wife in the ordering of her house.	16 The grace of an attentive wife will delight her husband, and will fatten his bones.
17 As the clear light is upon the holy candlestick; so is the beauty of the face in ripe age.	17 Her discipline is a gift from God.
18 As the golden pillars are upon the sockets of silver; so are the fair feet with a constant heart.	18 Such is an understanding and quiet wife. For there is no substitution for a well-instructed soul.
19 My son, keep the flower of thine age sound; and give not thy strength to strangers.	19 A holy and contrite wife is grace upon grace.
20 When thou hast gotten a fruitful possession through all the field, sow it with thine own seed, trusting in the goodness of thy stock.	20 And no amount of money is equal to the value of a soul with self-restraint.
21 So thy race which thou leavest shall be magnified, having the confidence of their good descent.	21 Like the sun rising over the world in the high places of God, so the beauty of a good wife is the adornment of her house.
22 An harlot shall be accounted as spittle; but a married woman is a tower against death to her husband.	22 Like a lamp shining atop a holy lampstand, so is the beauty of a face in the mature stage of life.
23 A wicked woman is given as a portion to a wicked man: but a godly woman is given to him that feareth the Lord.	23 Like golden pillars upon bases of silver, so are the firm feet of a mature wife upon the soles of her feet.
24 A dishonest woman contemneth shame: but an honest woman will reverence her husband.	24 Like everlasting foundations upon a solid rock, so are the commandments of God in the heart of a holy wife.
25 A shameless woman shall be counted as a dog; but she that is shamefaced will fear the Lord.	25 By two things, my heart is greatly saddened, and at a third, anger overwhelms me:
26 A woman that honoureth her husband shall be judged wise of all; but she that dishonoureth him in her pride shall be counted ungodly of all.	26 a man of war failing because of dire need, and an understanding man treated with contempt,
27 A loud crying woman and a scold shall be sought out to drive away the enemies.	27 and anyone who crosses over from justice to sin. God has prepared such a one for the spear.
28 There be two things that grieve my heart; and the third maketh me angry: a man of war that suffereth poverty; and men of understanding that are not set by; and one that returneth from righteousness to sin; the Lord prepareth such an one for the sword.	28 Two kinds of things have seemed difficult and dangerous to me: a merchant will not be easily freed from his negligence, and a shopkeeper will not be justified by the sins of his lips.
29 A merchant shall hardly keep himself from doing wrong; and an huckster shall not be freed from sin.