Sirach 26

NEW AMERICAN BIBLE	KING JAMES BIBLE
1 Happy the husband of a good wife, twice-lengthened are his days;	1 Blessed is the man that hath a virtuous wife, for the number of his days shall be double.
2 A worthy wife brings joy to her husband, peaceful and full is his life.	2 A virtuous woman rejoiceth her husband, and he shall fulfil the years of his life in peace.
3 A good wife is a generous gift bestowed upon him who fears the LORD;	3 A good wife is a good portion, which shall be given in the portion of them that fear the Lord.
4 Be he rich or poor, his heart is content, and a smile is ever on his face.	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.
5 There are three things at which my heart quakes, a fourth before which I quail: Though false charges in public, trial before all the people, and lying testimony are harder to bear than death,	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.
6 A jealous wife is heartache and mourning and a scourging tongue like the other three.	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.
7 A bad wife is a chafing yoke; he who marries her seizes a scorpion.	7 An evil wife is a yoke shaken to and fro: he that hath hold of her is as though he held a scorpion.
8 A drunken wife arouses great anger, for she does not hide her shame.	8 A drunken woman and a gadder abroad causeth great anger, and she will not cover her own shame.
9 By her eyelids and her haughty stare an unchaste wife can be recognized.	9 The whoredom of a woman may be known in her haughty looks and eyelids.
10 Keep a strict watch over an unruly wife, lest, finding an opportunity, she make use of it;	10 If thy daughter be shameless, keep her in straitly, lest she abuse herself through overmuch liberty.
11 Follow close if her eyes are bold, and be not surprised if she betrays you:	11 Watch over an impudent eye: and marvel not if she trespass against thee.
12 As a thirsty traveler with eager mouth drinks from any water that he finds, So she settles down before every tent peg and opens her quiver for every arrow.	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.
13 A gracious wife delights her husband, her thoughtfulness puts flesh on his bones;	13 The grace of a wife delighteth her husband, and her discretion will fatten his bones.
14 A gift from the LORD is her governed speech, and her firm virtue is of surpassing worth.	14 A silent and loving woman is a gift of the Lord; and there is nothing so much worth as a mind well instructed.
15 Choicest of blessings is a modest wife, priceless her chaste person.	15 A shamefaced and faithful woman is a double grace, and her continent mind cannot be valued.
16 Like the sun rising in the LORD'S heavens, the beauty of a virtuous wife is the radiance of her home.	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.
17 Like the light which shines above the holy lampstand, are her beauty of face and graceful figure.	17 As the clear light is upon the holy candlestick; so is the beauty of the face in ripe age.
18 Golden columns on silver bases are her shapely limbs and steady feet.	18 As the golden pillars are upon the sockets of silver; so are the fair feet with a constant heart.
19 These two bring grief to my heart, and the third arouses my horror: A wealthy man reduced to want; illustrious men held in contempt; And the man who passes from justice to sin, for whom the LORD makes ready the sword.	19 My son, keep the flower of thine age sound; and give not thy strength to strangers.
20 A merchant can hardly remain upright, nor a shopkeeper free from sin;	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.
	21 So thy race which thou leavest shall be magnified, having the confidence of their good descent.
	22 An harlot shall be accounted as spittle; but a married woman is a tower against death to her husband.
	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.
	24 A dishonest woman contemneth shame: but an honest woman will reverence her husband.
	25 A shameless woman shall be counted as a dog; but she that is shamefaced will fear the Lord.
	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.
	27 A loud crying woman and a scold shall be sought out to drive away the enemies.
	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.
	29 A merchant shall hardly keep himself from doing wrong; and an huckster shall not be freed from sin.