Home Master Index
←Prev   Sirach 26 as rendered by/in  Next→ 



26:1  Happy is the husband of a good wife; the number of his days will be doubled.
26:2  A loyal wife brings joy to her husband, and he will complete his years in peace.
26:3  A good wife is a great blessing; she will be granted among the blessings of the man who fears the Lord.
26:4  Whether rich or poor, his heart is content, and at all times his face is cheerful.
26:5  Of three things my heart is frightened, and of a fourth I am in great fear: Slander in the city, the gathering of a mob, and false accusation—all these are worse than death.
26:6  But it is heartache and sorrow when a wife is jealous of a rival, and a tongue-lashing makes it known to all.
26:7  A bad wife is a chafing yoke; taking hold of her is like grasping a scorpion.
26:8  A drunken wife arouses great anger; she cannot hide her shame.
26:9  The haughty stare betrays an unchaste wife; her eyelids give her away.
26:10  Keep strict watch over a headstrong daughter, or else, when she finds liberty, she will make use of it.
26:11  Be on guard against her impudent eye, and do not be surprised if she sins against you.
26:12  As a thirsty traveller opens his mouth and drinks from any water near him, so she will sit in front of every tent-peg and open her quiver to the arrow.
26:13  A wife’s charm delights her husband, and her skill puts flesh on his bones.
26:14  A silent wife is a gift from the Lord, and nothing is so precious as her self-discipline.
26:15  A modest wife adds charm to charm, and no scales can weigh the value of her chastity.
26:16  Like the sun rising in the heights of the Lord, so is the beauty of a good wife in her well-ordered home.
26:17  Like the shining lamp on the holy lampstand, so is a beautiful face on a stately figure.
26:18  Like golden pillars on silver bases, so are shapely legs and steadfast feet.
26:19  My child, keep sound the bloom of your youth, and do not give your strength to strangers.
26:20  Seek a fertile field within the whole plain, and sow it with your own seed, trusting in your fine stock.
26:21  So your offspring will prosper, and, having confidence in their good descent, will grow great.
26:22  A prostitute is regarded as spittle, and a married woman as a tower of death to her lovers.
26:23  A godless wife is given as a portion to a lawless man, but a pious wife is given to the man who fears the Lord.
26:24  A shameless woman constantly acts disgracefully, but a modest daughter will even be embarrassed before her husband.
26:25  A headstrong wife is regarded as a dog, but one who has a sense of shame will fear the Lord.
26:26  A wife honouring her husband will seem wise to all, but if she dishonours him in her pride she will be known to all as ungodly. Happy is the husband of a good wife, for the number of his years will be doubled.
26:27  A loud-voiced and garrulous wife is like a trumpet sounding the charge, and every person like this lives in the anarchy of war.
26:28  At two things my heart is grieved, and because of a third anger comes over me: a warrior in want through poverty, intelligent men who are treated contemptuously, and a man who turns back from righteousness to sin— the Lord will prepare him for the sword!