Sirach 26

NEW JERUSALEM	NEW AMERICAN BIBLE
1 How blessed is the husband of a really good wife; the number of his days will be doubled.	1 Happy the husband of a good wife, twice-lengthened are his days;
2 A perfect wife is the joy of her husband, he wil live out the years of his life in peace.	2 A worthy wife brings joy to her husband, peaceful and full is his life.
3 A good wife is the best of portions, reserved for those who fear the Lord;	3 A good wife is a generous gift bestowed upon him who fears the LORD;
4 rich or poor, their hearts wil be glad, their faces cheerful, whatever the season.	4 Be he rich or poor, his heart is content, and a smile is ever on his face.
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 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,
6 but a woman jealous of a woman means heartbreak and sorrow, and al this is the scourge of thetongue.	6 A jealous wife is heartache and mourning and a scourging tongue like the other three.
7 A bad wife is a badly fitting ox-yoke, trying to master her is like grasping a scorpion.	7 A bad wife is a chafing yoke; he who marries her seizes a scorpion.
8 A drunken wife wil goad anyone to fury, she cannot conceal her own degradation.	8 A drunken wife arouses great anger, for she does not hide her shame.
9 A woman's wantonness shows in her wide-eyed look, her eyelashes leave no doubt.	9 By her eyelids and her haughty stare an unchaste wife can be recognized.
10 Keep a headstrong daughter under firm control, or, feeling free, she wil take advantage of it.	10 Keep a strict watch over an unruly wife, lest, finding an opportunity, she make use of it;
11 Keep a strict watch on her shameless eye, do not be surprised if she disgraces you.	11 Follow close if her eyes are bold, and be not surprised if she betrays you:
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 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.
13 The grace of a wife wil charm her husband, her understanding will make him the stronger.	13 A gracious wife delights her husband, her thoughtfulness puts flesh on his bones;
14 A silent wife is a gift from the Lord, no price can be put on a well-trained character.	14 A gift from the LORD is her governed speech, and her firm virtue is of surpassing worth.
15 A modest wife is a boon twice over, a chaste character cannot be over-valued.	15 Choicest of blessings is a modest wife, priceless her chaste person.
16 Like the sun rising over the mountains of the Lord, such is the beauty of a good wife in a wel -runhouse.	16 Like the sun rising in the LORD'S heavens, the beauty of a virtuous wife is the radiance of her home.
17 Like a lamp shining on the sacred lamp-stand, such is a beautiful face on a wel -proportioned body.	17 Like the light which shines above the holy lampstand, are her beauty of face and graceful figure.
18 Like golden pil ars on a silver base, such are shapely legs on firm-set heels.	18 Golden columns on silver bases are her shapely limbs and steady feet.
19	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.
20	20 A merchant can hardly remain upright, nor a shopkeeper free from sin;
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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.
29 It is difficult for a merchant to avoid doing wrong and for a trader not to incur sin.