Sirach 26

NEW JERUSALEM	SMITH VAN DYKE
1 How blessed is the husband of a really 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.
3 A good wife is the best of portions, reserved for those who fear the Lord;
4 rich or poor, their hearts wil be glad, their faces cheerful, whatever the season.
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;
6 but a woman jealous of a woman means heartbreak and sorrow, and al this is the scourge of thetongue.
7 A bad wife is a badly fitting ox-yoke, trying to master her is like grasping a scorpion.
8 A drunken wife wil goad anyone to fury, she cannot conceal her own degradation.
9 A woman's wantonness shows in her wide-eyed look, her eyelashes leave no doubt.
10 Keep a headstrong daughter under firm control, or, feeling free, she wil take advantage of it.
11 Keep a strict watch on her shameless eye, do not be surprised if she disgraces 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.
13 The grace of a wife wil charm her husband, her understanding will make him the stronger.
14 A silent wife is a gift from the Lord, no price can be put on a well-trained character.
15 A modest wife is a boon twice over, a chaste character cannot be over-valued.
16 Like the sun rising over the mountains of the Lord, such is the beauty of a good wife in a wel -runhouse.
17 Like a lamp shining on the sacred lamp-stand, such is a beautiful face on a wel -proportioned body.
18 Like golden pil ars on a silver base, such are shapely legs on firm-set heels.
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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.