Sirach 26

NEW JERUSALEM	Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition
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; the number of his days will be doubled.
2 A perfect wife is the joy of her husband, he wil live out the years of his life in peace.	2 A loyal wife rejoices her husband, and he will complete his years in peace.
3 A good wife is the best of portions, reserved for those who fear the Lord;	3 A good wife is a great blessing; she will be granted among the blessings of the man who fears the Lord.
4 rich or poor, their hearts wil be glad, their faces cheerful, whatever the season.	4 Whether rich or poor, his heart is glad, and at all times his face is cheerful.
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 is afraid, and of a fourth I am frightened: The slander of a city, the gathering of a mob, and false accusation--all these are worse than death.
6 but a woman jealous of a woman means heartbreak and sorrow, and al this is the scourge of thetongue.	6 There is grief of heart and sorrow when a wife is envious of a rival, and a tongue-lashing makes it known to all.
7 A bad wife is a badly fitting ox-yoke, trying to master her is like grasping a scorpion.	7 An evil wife is an ox yoke which chafes; taking hold of her is like grasping a scorpion.
8 A drunken wife wil goad anyone to fury, she cannot conceal her own degradation.	8 There is great anger when a wife is drunken; she will not hide her shame.
9 A woman's wantonness shows in her wide-eyed look, her eyelashes leave no doubt.	9 A wife's harlotry shows in her lustful eyes, and she is known by her eyelids.
10 Keep a headstrong daughter under firm control, or, feeling free, she wil take advantage of it.	10 Keep strict watch over a headstrong daughter, lest, when she finds liberty, she use it to her hurt.
11 Keep a strict watch on her shameless eye, do not be surprised if she disgraces you.	11 Be on guard against her impudent eye, and do not wonder if she sins against 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 wayfarer opens his mouth and drinks from any water near him, so will she sit in front of every post and open her quiver to the arrow.
13 The grace of a wife wil charm her husband, her understanding will make him the stronger.	13 A wife's charm delights her husband, and her skill puts fat 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 silent wife is a gift of the Lord, and there is nothing so precious as a disciplined soul.
15 A modest wife is a boon twice over, a chaste character cannot be over-valued.	15 A modest wife adds charm to charm, and no balance can weigh the value of a chaste soul.
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 heights of the Lord, so is the beauty of a good wife in her well-ordered home.
17 Like a lamp shining on the sacred lamp-stand, such is a beautiful face on a wel -proportioned body.	17 Like the shining lamp on the holy lampstand, so is a beautiful face on a stately figure.
18 Like golden pil ars on a silver base, such are shapely legs on firm-set heels.	18 Like pillars of gold on a base of silver, so are beautiful feet with a steadfast heart.
19	19 At two things my heart is grieved, and because of a third anger comes over me: a warrior in want through poverty, and intelligent men who are treated contemptuously; a man who turns back from righteousness to sin-- the Lord will prepare him for the sword!
20	20 A merchant can hardly keep from wrongdoing, and a tradesman will not be declared innocent of 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.