Ecclesiasticus 26

VULGATA	CATHOLIC PUBLIC DOMAIN
1 Mulieris bonæ beatus vir : numerus enim annorum illius duplex.	1 Blessed is the husband of a good wife. For the number of his years is doubled.
2 Mulier fortis oblectat virum suum, et annos vitæ illius in pace implebit.	2 A good wife delights her husband, and she will fill up the years of his life with peace.
3 Pars bona mulier bona, in parte timentium Deum dabitur viro pro factis bonis :	3 A good wife is a good portion. She will be given the portion of those who fear God, like a man who has done good deeds.
4 divitis autem et pauperis cor bonum, in omni tempore vultus illorum hilaris.	4 But, rich or poor, with a good heart, his countenance will be cheerful at all times.
5 A tribus timuit cor meum, et in quarto facies mea metuit :	5 Of three things, my heart has been afraid, and at a fourth, my face has shown dread:
6 delaturam civitatis, et collectionem populi :	6 an accusation made by a city, and the gathering of a mob,
7 calumniam mendacem super mortem omnia gravia :	7 and a deceitful false accusation. All these are more grievous than death.
8 dolor cordis et luctus, mulier zelotypa.	8 A jealous wife is a grief and a mourning to the heart.
9 In muliere zelotypa flagellum linguæ, omnibus communicans.	9 In a jealous wife, there is a scourge of the tongue, which communicates with everyone.
10 Sicut boum jugum quod movetur, ita et mulier nequam : qui tenet illam quasi qui apprehendit scorpionem.	10 Like a yoke of oxen being provoked, so also is a wicked wife. He who has hold of her is like one who has taken hold of a scorpion.
11 Mulier ebriosa ira magna, et contumelia : et turpitudo illius non tegetur.	11 An inebriated wife is a great wrath. And her disgrace and indecency will not be covered.
12 Fornicatio mulieris in extollentia oculorum, et in palpebris illius agnoscetur.	12 The fornication of a wife will become known by the haughtiness of her eyes and by her eyelids.
13 In filia non avertente se, firma custodiam, ne inventa occasione utatur se.	13 So that her daughter will not also turn away, keep a strict watch; otherwise, having found an opportunity, she may enjoy herself.
14 Ab omni irreverentia oculorum ejus cave, et ne mireris si te neglexerit.	14 Be wary of the irreverence of her eyes, and you should not wonder if she might disregard you.
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 Like a thirsty traveler, she will open her mouth to the fountain, and she will drink from every water nearby, and she will sit down beside every fencepost, and she will open her quiver to every arrow, until she becomes weary.
16 Gratia mulieris sedulæ delectabit virum suum, et ossa illius impinguabit.	16 The grace of an attentive wife will delight her husband, and will fatten his bones.
17 Disciplina illius datum Dei est.	17 Her discipline is a gift from God.
18 Mulier sensata et tacita, non est immutatio eruditæ animæ.	18 Such is an understanding and quiet wife. For there is no substitution for a well-instructed soul.
19 Gratia super gratiam mulier sancta et pudorata.	19 A holy and contrite wife is grace upon grace.
20 Omnis autem ponderatio non est digna continentis animæ.	20 And no amount of money is equal to the value of a soul with self-restraint.
21 Sicut sol oriens mundo in altissimis Dei, sic mulieris bonæ species in ornamentum domus ejus.	21 Like the sun rising over the world in the high places of God, so the beauty of a good wife is the adornment of her house.
22 Lucerna splendens super candelabrum sanctum, et species faciei super ætatem stabilem.	22 Like a lamp shining atop a holy lampstand, so is the beauty of a face in the mature stage of life.
23 Columnæ aureæ super bases argenteas, et pedes firmi super plantas stabilis mulieris.	23 Like golden pillars upon bases of silver, so are the firm feet of a mature wife upon the soles of her feet.
24 Fundamenta æterna supra petram solidam, et mandata Dei in corde mulieris sanctæ.	24 Like everlasting foundations upon a solid rock, so are the commandments of God in the heart of a holy wife.
25 In duobus contristatum est cor meum, et in tertio iracundia mihi advenit :	25 By two things, my heart is greatly saddened, and at a third, anger overwhelms me:
26 vir bellator deficiens per inopiam ; et vir sensatus contemptus ;	26 a man of war failing because of dire need, and an understanding man treated with contempt,
27 et qui transgreditur a justitia ad peccatum : Deus paravit eum ad rhomphæam.	27 and anyone who crosses over from justice to sin. God has prepared such a one for the spear.
28 Duæ species difficiles et periculosæ mihi apparuerunt : difficile exuitur negotians a negligentia, et non justificabitur caupo a peccatis labiorum.	28 Two kinds of things have seemed difficult and dangerous to me: a merchant will not be easily freed from his negligence, and a shopkeeper will not be justified by the sins of his lips.