A Good Wife
Wisdom of Sirach 26, verse 1. Happy is the husband of a good wife; The number of his days will be doubled. Wisdom of Sirach 26, verse 2. A courageous wife makes her husband glad, And his years will be full of peace. Wisdom of Sirach 26, verse 3. A good wife is a good portion, And she will be given in the portion Of those who fear the Lord. Wisdom of Sirach 26, verse 4. The good heart of a rich or a poor man Is a cheerful face at all times.
Fallen Womanhood
Wisdom of Sirach 26, verse 5. My heart fears because of three things, And I pray to God concerning a fourth: The slander of a city, the gathering of a mob, And a false accusation—all these are worse than death. Wisdom of Sirach 26, verse 6. There is also pain of heart and sorrow When a wife is jealous over another woman, And a tongue-lashing makes it known to all. Wisdom of Sirach 26, verse 7. An evil wife is like an ox-yoke that shakes to and fro, And to take hold of her is like grabbing a scorpion. Wisdom of Sirach 26, verse 8. A drunken wife is very wrathful, And she will not conceal her shame. Wisdom of Sirach 26, verse 9. The fornication of a wife will be known By her haughty looks and her eyelids. Wisdom of Sirach 26, verse 10. Keep strong watch over a headstrong daughter, Lest she find some liberty and make the most of it. Wisdom of Sirach 26, verse 11. Be on guard against her shameless eye, And do not be amazed if she trespasses against you. Wisdom of Sirach 26, verse 12. Her mouth will open like a thirsty traveler's And drink from any water nearby. She will sit down before every tent peg And open her quiver to any arrow.
A Blessed Wife
Wisdom of Sirach 26, verse 13. A wife's grace will delight her husband, And her skill will put fat on his bones. Wisdom of Sirach 26, verse 14. A silent wife is a gift from the Lord, And there is nothing worth as much as a disciplined soul. Wisdom of Sirach 26, verse 15. A modest wife is blessing upon blessing, And there is no scale adequate to weigh a self-controlled soul. Wisdom of Sirach 26, verse 16. Like the sun rising in the Lord's heaven Is the beauty of a good wife in the ordering of her house. Wisdom of Sirach 26, verse 17. Like a lamp shining on the holy lampstand Is the beauty of a countenance in the prime of life. Wisdom of Sirach 26, verse 18. Beautiful feet with a steady heart Are like golden pillars on a silver base.
Three Griefs
Wisdom of Sirach 26, verse 19. My heart is grieved by two things, And because of a third, anger arises within me: A man of war in want because of poverty; Men of intelligence who suffer contempt; And a man who turns back from righteousness to sin. The Lord will prepare this one for the sword.
The Merchant
Wisdom of Sirach 26, verse 20. With difficulty a merchant will deliver himself from wrongdoing, And a peddler will not be acquitted from sin.