Sirach 26

DOUAI-RHEIMS	KING JAMES BIBLE
1 Happy is the husband of a good wife: for the number of his years is double.	1 Blessed is the man that hath a virtuous wife, for the number of his days shall be double.
2 A virtuous woman rejoiceth her husband: and shall fulfil the years of his life in peace.	2 A virtuous woman rejoiceth her husband, and he shall fulfil the years of his life in peace.
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.	3 A good wife is a good portion, which shall be given in the portion of them that fear the Lord.
4 Rich or poor, if his heart is good, his countenance shall be cheerful at all times.	4 Whether a man be rich or poor, if he have a good heart toward the Lord, he shall at all times rejoice with a cheerful countenance.
5 Of three things my heart hath been afraid, and at the fourth my face hath trembled:	5 There be three things that mine heart feareth; and for the fourth I was sore afraid: the slander of a city, the gathering together of an unruly multitude, and a false accusation: all these are worse than death.
6 The accusation of a city, and the gathering together of the people:	6 But a grief of heart and sorrow is a woman that is jealous over another woman, and a scourge of the tongue which communicateth with all.
7 And a false calumny, all are more grievous than death.	7 An evil wife is a yoke shaken to and fro: he that hath hold of her is as though he held a scorpion.
8 A jealous woman is the grief and mourning of the heart.	8 A drunken woman and a gadder abroad causeth great anger, and she will not cover her own shame.
9 With a jealous woman is a scourge of the tongue which communicateth with all.	9 The whoredom of a woman may be known in her haughty looks and eyelids.
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.	10 If thy daughter be shameless, keep her in straitly, lest she abuse herself through overmuch liberty.
11 A drunken woman is a great wrath: and her reproach and shame shall not be hid.	11 Watch over an impudent eye: and marvel not if she trespass against thee.
12 The fornication of a woman shall be known by the haughtiness of her eyes, and by her eyelids.	12 She will open her mouth, as a thirsty traveller when he hath found a fountain, and drink of every water near her: by every hedge will she sit down, and open her quiver against every arrow.
13 On a daughter that turneth not away herself, set a strict watch: lest finding an opportunity she abuse herself.	13 The grace of a wife delighteth her husband, and her discretion will fatten his bones.
14 Take heed of the impudence of her eyes, and wonder not if she slight thee.	14 A silent and loving woman is a gift of the Lord; and there is nothing so much worth as a mind well instructed.
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.	15 A shamefaced and faithful woman is a double grace, and her continent mind cannot be valued.
16 The grace of a diligent woman shall delight her husband, and shall fat his bones.	16 As the sun when it ariseth in the high heaven; so is the beauty of a good wife in the ordering of her house.
17 Her discipline is the gift of God.	17 As the clear light is upon the holy candlestick; so is the beauty of the face in ripe age.
18 Such is a wise and silent woman, and there is nothing so much worth as a well instructed soul.	18 As the golden pillars are upon the sockets of silver; so are the fair feet with a constant heart.
19 A holy and shamefaced woman is grace upon grace.	19 My son, keep the flower of thine age sound; and give not thy strength to strangers.
20 And no price is worthy of a continent soul.	20 When thou hast gotten a fruitful possession through all the field, sow it with thine own seed, trusting in the goodness of thy stock.
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.	21 So thy race which thou leavest shall be magnified, having the confidence of their good descent.
22 As the lamp shining upon the holy candlestick, so is the beauty of the face in a ripe age.	22 An harlot shall be accounted as spittle; but a married woman is a tower against death to her husband.
23 As golden pillars upon bases of silver, so are the firm feet upon the soles of a steady woman.	23 A wicked woman is given as a portion to a wicked man: but a godly woman is given to him that feareth the Lord.
24 As everlasting foundations upon a solid rock, so the commandments of God In the heart of a holy woman.	24 A dishonest woman contemneth shame: but an honest woman will reverence her husband.
25 At two things my heart is grieved, and the third bringeth anger upon me:	25 A shameless woman shall be counted as a dog; but she that is shamefaced will fear the Lord.
26 A man of was fainting through poverty: and a man of sense despised:	26 A woman that honoureth her husband shall be judged wise of all; but she that dishonoureth him in her pride shall be counted ungodly of all.
27 And he that passeth over from justice to sin, God hath prepared such an one for the sword.	27 A loud crying woman and a scold shall be sought out to drive away the enemies.
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.	28 There be two things that grieve my heart; and the third maketh me angry: a man of war that suffereth poverty; and men of understanding that are not set by; and one that returneth from righteousness to sin; the Lord prepareth such an one for the sword.
	29 A merchant shall hardly keep himself from doing wrong; and an huckster shall not be freed from sin.