Ecclesiasticus 26

VULGATA	NEW AMERICAN BIBLE
1 Mulieris bonæ beatus vir : numerus enim annorum illius duplex.	1 Happy the husband of a good wife, twice-lengthened are his days;
2 Mulier fortis oblectat virum suum, et annos vitæ illius in pace implebit.	2 A worthy wife brings joy to her husband, peaceful and full is his life.
3 Pars bona mulier bona, in parte timentium Deum dabitur viro pro factis bonis :	3 A good wife is a generous gift bestowed upon him who fears the LORD;
4 divitis autem et pauperis cor bonum, in omni tempore vultus illorum hilaris.	4 Be he rich or poor, his heart is content, and a smile is ever on his face.
5 A tribus timuit cor meum, et in quarto facies mea metuit :	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 delaturam civitatis, et collectionem populi :	6 A jealous wife is heartache and mourning and a scourging tongue like the other three.
7 calumniam mendacem super mortem omnia gravia :	7 A bad wife is a chafing yoke; he who marries her seizes a scorpion.
8 dolor cordis et luctus, mulier zelotypa.	8 A drunken wife arouses great anger, for she does not hide her shame.
9 In muliere zelotypa flagellum linguæ, omnibus communicans.	9 By her eyelids and her haughty stare an unchaste wife can be recognized.
10 Sicut boum jugum quod movetur, ita et mulier nequam : qui tenet illam quasi qui apprehendit scorpionem.	10 Keep a strict watch over an unruly wife, lest, finding an opportunity, she make use of it;
11 Mulier ebriosa ira magna, et contumelia : et turpitudo illius non tegetur.	11 Follow close if her eyes are bold, and be not surprised if she betrays you:
12 Fornicatio mulieris in extollentia oculorum, et in palpebris illius agnoscetur.	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 In filia non avertente se, firma custodiam, ne inventa occasione utatur se.	13 A gracious wife delights her husband, her thoughtfulness puts flesh on his bones;
14 Ab omni irreverentia oculorum ejus cave, et ne mireris si te neglexerit.	14 A gift from the LORD is her governed speech, and her firm virtue is of surpassing worth.
15 Sicut viator sitiens ad fontem os aperiet, et ab omni aqua proxima bibet, et contra omnem palum sedebit, et contra omnem sagittam aperiet pharetram donec deficiat.	15 Choicest of blessings is a modest wife, priceless her chaste person.
16 Gratia mulieris sedulæ delectabit virum suum, et ossa illius impinguabit.	16 Like the sun rising in the LORD'S heavens, the beauty of a virtuous wife is the radiance of her home.
17 Disciplina illius datum Dei est.	17 Like the light which shines above the holy lampstand, are her beauty of face and graceful figure.
18 Mulier sensata et tacita, non est immutatio eruditæ animæ.	18 Golden columns on silver bases are her shapely limbs and steady feet.
19 Gratia super gratiam mulier sancta et pudorata.	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 Omnis autem ponderatio non est digna continentis animæ.	20 A merchant can hardly remain upright, nor a shopkeeper free from sin;
21 Sicut sol oriens mundo in altissimis Dei, sic mulieris bonæ species in ornamentum domus ejus.
22 Lucerna splendens super candelabrum sanctum, et species faciei super ætatem stabilem.
23 Columnæ aureæ super bases argenteas, et pedes firmi super plantas stabilis mulieris.
24 Fundamenta æterna supra petram solidam, et mandata Dei in corde mulieris sanctæ.
25 In duobus contristatum est cor meum, et in tertio iracundia mihi advenit :
26 vir bellator deficiens per inopiam ; et vir sensatus contemptus ;
27 et qui transgreditur a justitia ad peccatum : Deus paravit eum ad rhomphæam.
28 Duæ species difficiles et periculosæ mihi apparuerunt : difficile exuitur negotians a negligentia, et non justificabitur caupo a peccatis labiorum.