Sirach
26:1 Blessed is the man that hath a virtuous wife, for the number of his days
shall be double.
26:2 A virtuous woman rejoiceth her husband, and he shall fulfil the years of
his life in peace.
26:3 A good wife is a good portion, which shall be given in the portion of
them that fear the Lord.
26:4 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.
26:5 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.
26:6 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.
26:7 An evil wife is a yoke shaken to and fro: he that hath hold of her is as
though he held a scorpion.
26:8 A drunken woman and a gadder abroad causeth great anger, and she will
not cover her own shame.
26:9 The whoredom of a woman may be known in her haughty looks and eyelids.
26:10 If thy daughter be shameless, keep her in straitly, lest she abuse
herself through overmuch liberty.
26:11 Watch over an impudent eye: and marvel not if she trespass against thee.
26:12 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.
26:13 The grace of a wife delighteth her husband, and her discretion will
fatten his bones.
26:14 A silent and loving woman is a gift of the Lord; and there is nothing so
much worth as a mind well instructed.
26:15 A shamefaced and faithful woman is a double grace, and her continent
mind cannot be valued.
26:16 As the sun when it ariseth in the high heaven; so is the beauty of a
good wife in the ordering of her house.
26:17 As the clear light is upon the holy candlestick; so is the beauty of the
face in ripe age.
26:18 As the golden pillars are upon the sockets of silver; so are the fair
feet with a constant heart.
26:19 My son, keep the flower of thine age sound; and give not thy strength to
strangers.
26:20 When thou hast gotten a fruitful possession through all the field, sow
it with thine own seed, trusting in the goodness of thy stock.
26:21 So thy race which thou leavest shall be magnified, having the confidence
of their good descent.
26:22 An harlot shall be accounted as spittle; but a married woman is a tower
against death to her husband.
26:23 A wicked woman is given as a portion to a wicked man: but a godly woman
is given to him that feareth the Lord.
26:24 A dishonest woman contemneth shame: but an honest woman will reverence
her husband.
26:25 A shameless woman shall be counted as a dog; but she that is shamefaced
will fear the Lord.
26:26 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.
26:27 A loud crying woman and a scold shall be sought out to drive away the
enemies.
26:28 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.
26:29 A merchant shall hardly keep himself from doing wrong; and an huckster
shall not be freed from sin.
