Sirach 26

NEW JERUSALEM	CATHOLIC PUBLIC DOMAIN
1 How blessed is the husband of a really good wife; the number of his days will be doubled.	1 Blessed is the husband of a good wife. For the number of his years is doubled.
2 A perfect wife is the joy of her husband, he wil live out 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 the best of portions, reserved for those who 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 rich or poor, their hearts wil be glad, their faces cheerful, whatever the season.	4 But, rich or poor, with a good heart, his countenance will 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 has been afraid, and at a fourth, my face has shown dread:
6 but a woman jealous of a woman means heartbreak and sorrow, and al this is the scourge of thetongue.	6 an accusation made by a city, and the gathering of a mob,
7 A bad wife is a badly fitting ox-yoke, trying to master her is like grasping a scorpion.	7 and a deceitful false accusation. All these are more grievous than death.
8 A drunken wife wil goad anyone to fury, she cannot conceal her own degradation.	8 A jealous wife is a grief and a mourning to the heart.
9 A woman's wantonness shows in her wide-eyed look, her eyelashes leave no doubt.	9 In a jealous wife, there is a scourge of the tongue, which communicates with everyone.
10 Keep a headstrong daughter under firm control, or, feeling free, she wil take advantage of it.	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 Keep a strict watch on her shameless eye, do not be surprised if she disgraces you.	11 An inebriated wife is a great wrath. And her disgrace and indecency will not be covered.
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 wife will become 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 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 wife is a gift from the Lord, no price can be put on a well-trained character.	14 Be wary of the irreverence of her eyes, and you should not wonder if she might disregard you.
15 A modest wife is a boon twice over, a chaste character cannot be over-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 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 an attentive wife will delight her husband, and will fatten 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 a gift from God.
18 Like golden pil ars on a silver base, such are shapely legs on firm-set heels.	18 Such is an understanding and quiet wife. For there is no substitution for a well-instructed soul.
19	19 A holy and contrite wife is grace upon grace.
20	20 And no amount of money is equal to the value of a soul with self-restraint.
21	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	22 Like a lamp shining atop a holy lampstand, so is the beauty of a face in the mature stage of life.
23	23 Like golden pillars upon bases of silver, so are the firm feet of a mature wife upon the soles of her feet.
24	24 Like everlasting foundations upon a solid rock, so are the commandments of God in the heart of a holy wife.
25	25 By two things, my heart is greatly saddened, and at a third, anger overwhelms me:
26	26 a man of war failing because of dire need, and an understanding man treated with contempt,
27	27 and anyone who crosses over from justice to sin. God has prepared such a one for the spear.
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 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 It is difficult for a merchant to avoid doing wrong and for a trader not to incur sin.