Sirach 26

¹ Happy is the husband of a good wife; the number of his days will be doubled.

² A loyal wife rejoices her husband, and he will complete his years in peace.

³ A good wife is a great blessing; she will be granted among the blessings of the man who fears the Lord.

⁴ Whether rich or poor, his heart is glad, and at all times his face is cheerful.

⁵ Of three things my heart is afraid, and of a fourth I am frightened: The slander of a city, the gathering of a mob, and false accusation--all these are worse than death.

⁶ There is grief of heart and sorrow when a wife is envious of a rival, and a tongue-lashing makes it known to all.

⁷ An evil wife is an ox yoke which chafes; taking hold of her is like grasping a scorpion.

⁸ There is great anger when a wife is drunken; she will not hide her shame.

⁹ A wife's harlotry shows in her lustful eyes, and she is known by her eyelids.

¹⁰ Keep strict watch over a headstrong daughter, lest, when she finds liberty, she use it to her hurt.

¹¹ Be on guard against her impudent eye, and do not wonder if she sins against you.

¹² As a thirsty wayfarer opens his mouth and drinks from any water near him, so will she sit in front of every post and open her quiver to the arrow.

¹³ A wife's charm delights her husband, and her skill puts fat on his bones.

¹⁴ A silent wife is a gift of the Lord, and there is nothing so precious as a disciplined soul.

¹⁵ A modest wife adds charm to charm, and no balance can weigh the value of a chaste soul.

¹⁶ Like the sun rising in the heights of the Lord, so is the beauty of a good wife in her well-ordered home.

¹⁷ Like the shining lamp on the holy lampstand, so is a beautiful face on a stately figure.

¹⁸ Like pillars of gold on a base of silver, so are beautiful feet with a steadfast heart.

¹⁹ At two things my heart is grieved, and because of a third anger comes over me: a warrior in want through poverty, and intelligent men who are treated contemptuously; a man who turns back from righteousness to sin-- the Lord will prepare him for the sword!

²⁰ A merchant can hardly keep from wrongdoing, and a tradesman will not be declared innocent of sin.