Sirach26eng_weu
1Happy is the husband of a good wife.The number of his days will be doubled.2A faithful wife gives joy to her husband.He will fulfil his years in peace.3A good wife is a great gift.She will be given to those who fear the Lord.4Whether a man is rich or poor,a good heart makes a cheerful face at all times.5Of three things my heart was afraid,and concerning the fourth kind I made supplication:The slander of a city, the assembly of a mob, and a false accusation.All these are more grievous than death.6A grief of heart and sorrow is a woman who is jealous of another woman.Her tongue-lashing makes it known to all.7A wicked woman is like a chafing yoke.He who takes hold of her is like one who grasps a scorpion.8A drunken woman causes great wrath.She will not cover her own shame.9The fornication of a woman is in the lifting up of her eyes;it will be known by her eyelids.10Keep strict watch on a headstrong daughter,lest she find liberty for herself, and use it.11Watch out for an impudent eye,and don’t be surprised if it sins against you.12She will open her mouth like a thirsty traveller,and drink from every water that is near.She will sit down at every post,and open her quiver to any arrow.13The grace of a wife will delight her husband.Her knowledge will strengthen his bones.14A silent woman is a gift of the Lord.There is nothing worth so much as a well-instructed soul.15A modest woman is grace upon grace.There are no scales that can weigh the value of a self-controlled soul.16As the sun when it arises in the highest places of the Lord,so is the beauty of a good wife in her well-organised home.17As the lamp that shines upon the holy lampstand,so is the beauty of the face on a well-proportioned body.18As the golden pillars are upon a base of silver,so are beautiful feet with the breasts of one who is steadfast.1928For two things my heart is grieved,and for the third anger comes upon me:a warrior who suffers for poverty,men of understanding who are counted as garbage,and one who turns back from righteousness to sin—the Lord will prepare him for the sword!29It is difficult for a merchant to keep himself from wrong doing,and for a retailer to be acquitted of sin.