Sirach 26

DOUAI-RHEIMS	NEW AMERICAN BIBLE
1 Happy is the husband of a good wife: for the number of his years is double.	1 Happy the husband of a good wife, twice-lengthened are his days;
2 A virtuous woman rejoiceth her husband: and shall fulfil 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 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 generous gift bestowed upon him who fears the LORD;
4 Rich or poor, if his heart is good, his countenance shall be cheerful at all times.	4 Be he rich or poor, his heart is content, and a smile is ever on his face.
5 Of three things my heart hath been afraid, and at the fourth my face hath trembled:	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 The accusation of a city, and the gathering together of the people:	6 A jealous wife is heartache and mourning and a scourging tongue like the other three.
7 And a false calumny, all are more grievous than death.	7 A bad wife is a chafing yoke; he who marries her seizes a scorpion.
8 A jealous woman is the grief and mourning of the heart.	8 A drunken wife arouses great anger, for she does not hide her shame.
9 With a jealous woman is a scourge of the tongue which communicateth with all.	9 By her eyelids and her haughty stare an unchaste wife can be recognized.
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 Keep a strict watch over an unruly wife, lest, finding an opportunity, she make use of it;
11 A drunken woman is a great wrath: and her reproach and shame shall not be hid.	11 Follow close if her eyes are bold, and be not surprised if she betrays you:
12 The fornication of a woman shall be known by the haughtiness of her eyes, and by her eyelids.	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 On a daughter that turneth not away herself, set a strict watch: lest finding an opportunity she abuse herself.	13 A gracious wife delights her husband, her thoughtfulness puts flesh on his bones;
14 Take heed of the impudence of her eyes, and wonder not if she slight thee.	14 A gift from the LORD is her governed speech, and her firm virtue is of surpassing worth.
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 Choicest of blessings is a modest wife, priceless her chaste person.
16 The grace of a diligent woman shall delight her husband, and shall fat his bones.	16 Like the sun rising in the LORD'S heavens, the beauty of a virtuous wife is the radiance of her home.
17 Her discipline is the gift of God.	17 Like the light which shines above the holy lampstand, are her beauty of face and graceful figure.
18 Such is a wise and silent woman, and there is nothing so much worth as a well instructed soul.	18 Golden columns on silver bases are her shapely limbs and steady feet.
19 A holy and shamefaced woman is grace upon grace.	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 And no price is worthy of a continent soul.	20 A merchant can hardly remain upright, nor a shopkeeper free from sin;
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.
22 As the lamp shining upon the holy candlestick, so is the beauty of the face in a ripe age.
23 As golden pillars upon bases of silver, so are the firm feet upon the soles of a steady woman.
24 As everlasting foundations upon a solid rock, so the commandments of God In the heart of a holy woman.
25 At two things my heart is grieved, and the third bringeth anger upon me:
26 A man of was fainting through poverty: and a man of sense despised:
27 And he that passeth over from justice to sin, God hath prepared such an one for the sword.
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.