Liber Ecclesiasticus, 27
1. Propter lucrum multi deliquerunt; et, qui quaerit locupletari, avertet oculum suum.
1. Happy is the husband of a good wife; the number of his days will be doubled.
2. Sicut in medio compaginis lapidum palus figitur, sic et inter medium venditionis et emptionis constringitur peccatum.
2. A loyal wife rejoices her husband, and he will complete his years in peace.
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3. A good wife is a great blessing; she will be granted among the blessings of the man who fears the Lord.
4. Si non in timore Domini tenueris te, instanter cito subvertetur domus tua.
4. Whether rich or poor, his heart is glad, and at all times his face is cheerful.
5. Sicut in percussura cribri remanent quisquiliae, sic peripsemata hominis in cogitatu illius.
5. Of three things my heart is afraid, and of a fourth I am frightened: The slander of a city, the gathering of a mob, and false accusation -- all these are worse than death.
6. Vasa figuli probat fornax, et homines iustos tentatio tribulationis.
6. There is grief of heart and sorrow when a wife is envious of a rival, and a tongue-lashing makes it known to all.
7. Sicut rusticationem ligni ostendit fructus illius, sic verbum ex cogitatu cordis hominis.
7. An evil wife is an ox yoke which chafes; taking hold of her is like grasping a scorpion.
8. Ante sermonem non laudes virum: haec enim tentatio est hominum.
8. There is great anger when a wife is drunken; she will not hide her shame.
9. Si sequaris iustitiam, apprehendes illam et indues quasi poderem honoris et inhabitabis cum ea, et proteget te in sempiternum, et in die agnitionis invenies firmamentum.
9. A wife's harlotry shows in her lustful eyes, and she is known by her eyelids.
10. Volatilia ad sibi similia conveniunt, et veritas ad eos, qui operantur illam, revertetur.
10. Keep strict watch over a headstrong daughter, lest, when she finds liberty, she use it to her hurt.
11. Leo venationi insidiatur semper, sic peccata operantibus iniquitates.
11. Be on guard against her impudent eye, and do not wonder if she sins against you.
12. Loquela timorati semper in sapientia manet; stultus autem sicut luna mutatur.
12. As a thirsty wayfarer opens his mouth and drinks from any water near him, so will she sit in front of every post and open her quiver to the arrow.
13. In medio insensatorum serva tempus, in medio autem cogitantium assiduus esto.
13. A wife's charm delights her husband, and her skill puts fat on his bones.
14. Loquela stultorum odiosa, et risus illorum in deliciis peccati.
14. A silent wife is a gift of the Lord, and there is nothing so precious as a disciplined soul.
15. Loquacitas multum iurantis horripilationem capiti statuet, et rixa illorum obturatio aurium.
15. A modest wife adds charm to charm, and no balance can weigh the value of a chaste soul.
16. Effusio sanguinis rixa superborum, et maledictio illorum auditus gravis.
16. Like the sun rising in the heights of the Lord, so is the beauty of a good wife in her well-ordered home.
17. Qui denudat arcana, amici fidem perdit et non inveniet amicum ad animum suum:
17. Like the shining lamp on the holy lampstand, so is a beautiful face on a stately figure.
18. dilige amicum et coniungere fide cum illo;
18. Like pillars of gold on a base of silver, so are beautiful feet with a steadfast heart.
19. quod, si denudaveris absconsa illius, non persequeris post eum.
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20. Sicut enim homo, qui extulit mortuum suum, sic et qui perdit amicitiam proximi sui;
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21. et sicut qui dimittit avem de manu sua, sic dereliquisti proximum tuum et non eum capies.
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22. Non illum sequaris, quoniam longe abest; effugit enim quasi caprea de laqueo, quoniam vulnerata est anima eius;
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23. ultra eum non poteris colligare. Et maledicti est concordatio,
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24. denudare autem amici mysteria amputatio spei est.
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25. Annuens oculo fabricat iniqua; qui novit eum, recedet ab illo.
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26. In conspectu oculorum tuorum condulcabit os suum et super sermones tuos admirabitur; novissime autem pervertet os suum et in verbis tuis dabit scandalum.
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27. Multa odivi et non coaequavi ei, et Dominus odiet illum.
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28. Qui in altum mittit lapidem, super caput eius cadet, et plaga dolosa dolosi dividet vulnera.
28. At two things my heart is grieved, and because of a third anger comes over me: a warrior in want through poverty, and intelligent men who are treated contemptuously; a man who turns back from righteousness to sin -- the Lord will prepare him for the sword!
29. Qui foveam fodit, incidet in eam, et, qui statuit lapidem proximo, offendet in eo, et, qui laqueum alii ponit, capietur in illo.
29. A merchant can hardly keep from wrongdoing, and a tradesman will not be declared innocent of sin.
30. Facienti nequissimum consilium, super ipsum devolvetur, et non agnoscet, unde adveniat illi.
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31. Illusio et improperium superbo, et vindicta sicut leo insidiabitur illi.
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32. Laqueo capientur, qui oblectantur casu iustorum, dolor autem consumet illos, antequam moriantur.
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33. Ira et furor utraque exsecrabilia sunt, et vir peccator continens erit illorum.
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