Scrutatio

Venerdi, 29 marzo 2024 - Santi Simplicio e Costantino ( Letture di oggi)

Sirach 26


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1How blessed is the husband of a really good wife; the number of his days will be doubled.2A perfect wife is the joy of her husband, he wil live out the years of his life in peace.3A good wife is the best of portions, reserved for those who fear the Lord;4rich or poor, their hearts wil be glad, their faces cheerful, whatever the season.5There are three things that I dread, and a fourth which terrifies me: slander by a whole town, thegathering of a mob, and a false accusation -- these are al worse than death;6but a woman jealous of a woman means heartbreak and sorrow, and al this is the scourge of thetongue.7A bad wife is a badly fitting ox-yoke, trying to master her is like grasping a scorpion.8A drunken wife wil goad anyone to fury, she cannot conceal her own degradation.9A woman's wantonness shows in her wide-eyed look, her eyelashes leave no doubt.10Keep a headstrong daughter under firm control, or, feeling free, she wil take advantage of it.11Keep a strict watch on her shameless eye, do not be surprised if she disgraces you.12Like a thirsty travel er she wil open her mouth and drink any water she comes across; she wil sitdown in front of every tent-peg and open her quiver to any arrow.13The grace of a wife wil charm her husband, her understanding will make him the stronger.14A silent wife is a gift from the Lord, no price can be put on a well-trained character.15A modest wife is a boon twice over, a chaste character cannot be over-valued.16Like the sun rising over the mountains of the Lord, such is the beauty of a good wife in a wel -runhouse.17Like a lamp shining on the sacred lamp-stand, such is a beautiful face on a wel -proportioned body.18Like golden pil ars on a silver base, such are shapely legs on firm-set heels.19202122232425262728There are two things which grieve my heart and a third arouses my anger: a warrior wasting awaythrough poverty, the intel igent treated with contempt, someone turning back from virtue to sin -- the Lord marksout such a person for a violent death.29It is difficult for a merchant to avoid doing wrong and for a trader not to incur sin.