Ecclesiasticus, 26
1. How blessed is the husband of a really good wife; the number of his days will be doubled.
1. My soul takes pleasure in three things, and they are beautiful in the sight of the Lord and of men; agreement between brothers, friendship between neighbors, and a wife and a husband who live in harmony.
2. A perfect wife is the joy of her husband, he will live out the years of his life in peace.
2. My soul hates three kinds of men, and I am greatly offended at their life: a beggar who is proud, a rich man who is a liar, and an adulterous old man who lacks good sense.
3. A good wife is the best of portions, reserved for those who fear the Lord;
3. You have gathered nothing in your youth; how then can you find anything in your old age?
4. rich or poor, their hearts will be glad, their faces cheerful, whatever the season.
4. What an attractive thing is judgment in gray-haired men, and for the aged to possess good counsel!
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. How attractive is wisdom in the aged, and understanding and counsel in honorable men!
6. but a woman jealous of a woman means heartbreak and sorrow, and all this is the scourge of the tongue.
6. Rich experience is the crown of the aged, and their boast is the fear of the Lord.
7. A bad wife is a badly fitting ox-yoke, trying to master her is like grasping a scorpion.
7. With nine thoughts I have gladdened my heart, and a tenth I shall tell with my tongue: a man rejoicing in his children; a man who lives to see the downfall of his foes;
8. A drunken wife will goad anyone to fury, she cannot conceal her own degradation.
8. happy is he who lives with an intelligent wife, and he who has not made a slip with his tongue, and he who has not served a man inferior to himself;
9. A woman's wantonness shows in her wide-eyed look, her eyelashes leave no doubt.
9. happy is he who has gained good sense, and he who speaks to attentive listeners.
10. Keep a headstrong daughter under firm control, or, feeling free, she will take advantage of it.
10. How great is he who has gained wisdom! But there is no one superior to him who fears the Lord.
11. Keep a strict watch on her shameless eye, do not be surprised if she disgraces you.
11. The fear of the Lord surpasses everything; to whom shall be likened the one who holds it fast?
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.
13. The grace of a wife will charm her husband, her understanding will make him the stronger.
13. Any wound, but not a wound of the heart! Any wickedness, but not the wickedness of a wife!
14. A silent wife is a gift from the Lord, no price can be put on a well-trained character.
14. Any attack, but not an attack from those who hate! And any vengeance, but not the vengeance of enemies!
15. A modest wife is a boon twice over, a chaste character cannot be over-valued.
15. There is no venom worse than a snake's venom, and no wrath worse than an enemy's wrath.
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. I would rather dwell with a lion and a dragon than dwell with an evil wife.
17. Like a lamp shining on the sacred lamp-stand, such is a beautiful face on a well-proportioned body.
17. The wickedness of a wife changes her appearance, and darkens her face like that of a bear.
18. Like golden pillars on a silver base, such are shapely legs on firm-set heels.
18. Her husband takes his meals among the neighbors, and he cannot help sighing bitterly.
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19. Any iniquity is insignificant compared to a wife's iniquity; may a sinner's lot befall her!
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20. A sandy ascent for the feet of the aged -- such is a garrulous wife for a quiet husband.
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21. Do not be ensnared by a woman's beauty, and do not desire a woman for her possessions.
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22. There is wrath and impudence and great disgrace when a wife supports her husband.
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23. A dejected mind, a gloomy face, and a wounded heart are caused by an evil wife. Drooping hands and weak knees are caused by the wife who does not make her husband happy.
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24. From a woman sin had its beginning, and because of her we all die.
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25. Allow no outlet to water, and no boldness of speech in an evil wife.
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26. If she does not go as you direct, separate her from yourself.
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27.
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.
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29. It is difficult for a merchant to avoid doing wrong and for a trader not to incur sin.
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