Ecclesiasticus, 26

1. Blessed is the man that hath a virtuous wife, for the number of his days shall be double.

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

2. A virtuous woman rejoiceth her husband, and he shall fulfil the years of his life in peace.

2. A woman of character is her husband's joy, he will live in peace all the years of his life.

3. A good wife is a good portion, which shall be given in the portion of them that fear the Lord.

3. A good wife is the best of gifts, reserved for those who fear the Lord;

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.

4. rich or poor, he will have a serene heart and a happy face.

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.

5. Three things disturb me and a fourth frightens me: neighborhood gossip, a rioting mob, a false accusation, all these are worse than death.

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.

6. But the woman jealous of another woman brings heartbreak, her tongue lashes out at everyone.

7. An evil wife is a yoke shaken to and fro: he that hath hold of her is as though he held a scorpion.

7. A bad wife is like a badly fixed yoke; taking her is like grasping a scorpion.

8. A drunken woman and a gadder abroad causeth great anger, and she will not cover her own shame.

8. A drunken wife causes scandal; her disgrace will not remain hidden.

9. The whoredom of a woman may be known in her haughty looks and eyelids.

9. A licentious woman is noticed by her secretive looks and recognized by her lively eyes.

10. If thy daughter be shameless, keep her in straitly, lest she abuse herself through overmuch liberty.

10. Keep a firm eye on a defiant daughter, so that she may not take advantage of some occasion.

11. Watch over an impudent eye: and marvel not if she trespass against thee.

11. Guard against the provocative woman and do not be surprised if she wishes to drag you into disgrace.

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.

12. She opens her mouth like a thirsty traveler to drink any water coming her way; she sits by any pole and opens her quiver to every arrow.

13. The grace of a wife delighteth her husband, and her discretion will fatten his bones.

13. A wife's grace gladdens her husband and her prudence refreshes his body.

14. A silent and loving woman is a gift of the Lord; and there is nothing so much worth as a mind well instructed.

14. A wife who knows how to be silent is a gift from the Lord; the well-trained wife is invaluable.

15. A shamefaced and faithful woman is a double grace, and her continent mind cannot be valued.

15. A modest wife is a favor among favors; the chaste wife is priceless.

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.

16. Like the sun rising over the mountains of the Lord, such is the enchantment of a good wife in a well-kept house.

17. As the clear light is upon the holy candlestick; so is the beauty of the face in ripe age.

17. Like the light which shines from the sacred lampstand, such is a beautiful face in a well-shaped body.

18. As the golden pillars are upon the sockets of silver; so are the fair feet with a constant heart.

18. Like pillars of gold on a silver base, such are beautiful legs on sturdy feet.

19. My son, keep the flower of thine age sound; and give not thy strength to strangers.

19.

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.

20.

21. So thy race which thou leavest shall be magnified, having the confidence of their good descent.

21.

22. An harlot shall be accounted as spittle; but a married woman is a tower against death to her husband.

22.

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.

23.

24. A dishonest woman contemneth shame: but an honest woman will reverence her husband.

24.

25. A shameless woman shall be counted as a dog; but she that is shamefaced will fear the Lord.

25.

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.

27.

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.

28. There are two things which grieve me and a third which makes me angry: a warrior who suffers want; intelligent men who are treated contemptuously; a man who turns from virtue to sin. The Lord singles this man out to strike him down.

29. A merchant shall hardly keep himself from doing wrong; and an huckster shall not be freed from sin.

29. The merchant can barely avoid greed; the shopkeeper cannot remain sinless.