Ecclesiasticus, 26

1. How blessed is the husband of a really good wife; the number of his days will be doubled.

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

2. A perfect wife is the joy of her husband, he will live out the years of his life in peace.

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

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

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

4. rich or poor, their hearts will be glad, their faces cheerful, whatever the season.

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.

5. There are three things that I dread, and a fourth which terrifies me: slander by a whole town, the gathering of a mob, and a false accusation -- these are all worse than death;

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.

6. but a woman jealous of a woman means heartbreak and sorrow, and all this is the scourge of the tongue.

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.

7. A bad wife is a badly fitting ox-yoke, trying to master her is like grasping a scorpion.

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

8. A drunken wife will goad anyone to fury, she cannot conceal her own degradation.

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

9. A woman's wantonness shows in her wide-eyed look, her eyelashes leave no doubt.

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

10. Keep a headstrong daughter under firm control, or, feeling free, she will take advantage of it.

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

11. Keep a strict watch on her shameless eye, do not be surprised if she disgraces you.

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

12. Like a thirsty traveller she will open her mouth and drink any water she comes across; she will sit down in front of every tent-peg and open her quiver to any arrow.

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.

13. The grace of a wife will charm her husband, her understanding will make him the stronger.

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

14. A silent wife is a gift from the Lord, no price can be put on a well-trained character.

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

15. A modest wife is a boon twice over, a chaste character cannot be over-valued.

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

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

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.

17. Like a lamp shining on the sacred lamp-stand, such is a beautiful face on a well-proportioned body.

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

18. Like golden pillars on a silver base, such are shapely legs on firm-set heels.

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

19.

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

20.

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.

21.

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

22.

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

23.

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.

24.

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

25.

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.

27.

27. A loud crying woman and a scold shall be sought out to drive away the enemies.

28. There are two things which grieve my heart and a third arouses my anger: a warrior wasting away through poverty, the intelligent treated with contempt, someone turning back from virtue to sin -- the Lord marks out such a person for a violent death.

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.

29. It is difficult for a merchant to avoid doing wrong and for a trader not to incur sin.

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