Sirach 26

NEW JERUSALEM	DOUAI-RHEIMS
1 How blessed is the husband of a really good wife; the number of his days will be doubled.	1 Happy is the husband of a good wife: for the number of his years is double.
2 A perfect wife is the joy of her husband, he wil live out the years of his life in peace.	2 A virtuous woman rejoiceth her husband: and shall fulfil the years of his life in peace.
3 A good wife is the best of portions, reserved for those who fear the Lord;	3 A good wife is a good portion, she shall be given in the portion of them that fear God, to a man for his good deeds.
4 rich or poor, their hearts wil be glad, their faces cheerful, whatever the season.	4 Rich or poor, if his heart is good, his countenance shall be cheerful at all times.
5 There 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;	5 Of three things my heart hath been afraid, and at the fourth my face hath trembled:
6 but a woman jealous of a woman means heartbreak and sorrow, and al this is the scourge of thetongue.	6 The accusation of a city, and the gathering together of the people:
7 A bad wife is a badly fitting ox-yoke, trying to master her is like grasping a scorpion.	7 And a false calumny, all are more grievous than death.
8 A drunken wife wil goad anyone to fury, she cannot conceal her own degradation.	8 A jealous woman is the grief and mourning of the heart.
9 A woman's wantonness shows in her wide-eyed look, her eyelashes leave no doubt.	9 With a jealous woman is a scourge of the tongue which communicateth with all.
10 Keep a headstrong daughter under firm control, or, feeling free, she wil take advantage of it.	10 As a yoke of oxen that is moved to and fro, so also is a wicked woman: he that hath hold of her, is as he that taketh hold of a scorpion.
11 Keep a strict watch on her shameless eye, do not be surprised if she disgraces you.	11 A drunken woman is a great wrath: and her reproach and shame shall not be hid.
12 Like 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.	12 The fornication of a woman shall be known by the haughtiness of her eyes, and by her eyelids.
13 The grace of a wife wil charm her husband, her understanding will make him the stronger.	13 On a daughter that turneth not away herself, set a strict watch: lest finding an opportunity she abuse herself.
14 A silent wife is a gift from the Lord, no price can be put on a well-trained character.	14 Take heed of the impudence of her eyes, and wonder not if she slight thee.
15 A modest wife is a boon twice over, a chaste character cannot be over-valued.	15 She will open her mouth as a thirsty traveller to the fountain, and will drink of every water near her, and will sit down by every hedge, and open her quiver against every arrow, until she fail.
16 Like the sun rising over the mountains of the Lord, such is the beauty of a good wife in a wel -runhouse.	16 The grace of a diligent woman shall delight her husband, and shall fat his bones.
17 Like a lamp shining on the sacred lamp-stand, such is a beautiful face on a wel -proportioned body.	17 Her discipline is the gift of God.
18 Like golden pil ars on a silver base, such are shapely legs on firm-set heels.	18 Such is a wise and silent woman, and there is nothing so much worth as a well instructed soul.
19	19 A holy and shamefaced woman is grace upon grace.
20	20 And no price is worthy of a continent soul.
21	21 As the sun when it riseth to the world in the high places of God, so is the beauty of a good wife for the ornament of her house.
22	22 As the lamp shining upon the holy candlestick, so is the beauty of the face in a ripe age.
23	23 As golden pillars upon bases of silver, so are the firm feet upon the soles of a steady woman.
24	24 As everlasting foundations upon a solid rock, so the commandments of God In the heart of a holy woman.
25	25 At two things my heart is grieved, and the third bringeth anger upon me:
26	26 A man of was fainting through poverty: and a man of sense despised:
27	27 And he that passeth over from justice to sin, God hath prepared such an one for the sword.
28 There 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.	28 Two sorts of callings have appeared to me hard and dangerous: a merchant is hardly free from negligence: and a huckster shall not be justified from the sins of the lips.
29 It is difficult for a merchant to avoid doing wrong and for a trader not to incur sin.