Liber Ecclesiasticus, 26
1. mulieris bonæ beatus vir numerus enim annorum illorum duplex
1. Happy is the husband of a good wife: for the number of his years is double.
2. mulier fortis oblectat virum suum et annos vitæ illius in pace implebit
2. A virtuous woman rejoiceth her husband: and shall fulfil the years of his life in peace.
3. pars bona mulier bona in parte bona timentium Deum dabitur viro pro factis bonis
3. A good wife is a good portion, she shall be given in the portion of them that fear God, to a man for his good deeds.
4. divitis autem et pauperis cor bonum in omni tempore vultus illorum hilaris
4. Rich or poor, if his heart is good, his countenance shall be cheerful at all times.
5. a tribus timuit cor meum et in quarto facies mea metuit
5. Of three things my heart hath been afraid, and at the fourth my face hath trembled:
6. delatura civitatis et collectio populi
6. The accusation of a city, and the gathering together of the people:
7. et calumniam mendacem super mortem omnia gravia
7. And a false calumny, all are more grievous than death.
8. dolor cordis et luctus mulier zelotypa
8. A jealous woman is the grief and mourning of the heart.
9. in muliere infideli flagellum linguæ omnibus communicans
9. With a jealous woman is a scourge of the tongue which communicateth with all.
10. sicut boum jugum quod movetur ita et mulierem nequam qui tenet illam quasi qui adprehendat scorpionem
10. As a yoke of oxen that is moved to and fro, so also is a wicked woman: he that hath hold of her, is as he that taketh hold of a scorpion.
11. mulier ebriosa ira magna et contumelia et turpitudo illius non contegetur
11. A drunken woman is a great wrath: and her reproach and shame shall not be hid.
12. fornicatio mulieris in extollentia oculorum et in palpebris illius agnoscetur
12. The fornication of a woman shall be known by the haughtiness of her eyes, and by her eyelids.
13. in filia non avertente se firma custodiam ne inventa occasione utatur se
13. On a daughter that turneth not away herself, set a strict watch: lest finding an opportunity she abuse herself.
14. ab omni inreverentia oculis cave et ne mireris si te neglexerit
14. Take heed of the impudence of her eyes, and wonder not if she slight thee.
15. sicut viator sitiens ad fontem os aperiet et ab omni aqua proxima bibet et contra omnem palum sedebit et contra omnem sagittam aperiet faretram donec deficiat
15. She will open her mouth as a thirsty traveller to the fountain, and will drink of every water near her, and will sit down by every hedge, and open her quiver against every arrow, until she fail.
16. gratia mulieris sedulæ delectabit virum suum et ossa illius inpinguabit
16. The grace of a diligent woman shall delight her husband, and shall fat his bones.
17. disciplina illius datus Dei
17. Her discipline is the gift of God.
18. mulier sensata et tacita non est inmutatio eruditæ animæ
18. Such is a wise and silent woman, and there is nothing so much worth as a well instructed soul.
19. gratia super gratiam mulier sancta et pudorata
19. A holy and shamefaced woman is grace upon grace.
20. omnis autem ponderatio non est digna continentis animæ
20. And no price is worthy of a continent soul.
21. sicut sol oriens mundo in altissimis Dei sic mulieris bonæ species in ornamentum domus ejus
21. As the sun when it riseth to the world in the high places of God, so is the beauty of a good wife for the ornament of her house.
22. lucerna splendens super candelabrum sanctum et species faciei super ætatem stabilem
22. As the lamp shining upon the holy candlestick, so is the beauty of the face in a ripe age.
23. columnæ aureæ super bases argenteas et pedes firmi super plantas stabilis mulieris
23. As golden pillars upon bases of silver, so are the firm feet upon the soles of a steady woman.
24. fundamenta æterna super petram solidam et mandata Dei in corde mulieris sanctæ
24. As everlasting foundations upon a solid rock, so the commandments of God In the heart of a holy woman.
25. in duobus contristatum est cor meum et in tertio iracundia mihi advenit
25. At two things my heart is grieved, and the third bringeth anger upon me:
26. vir bellator deficiens per inopiam et vir sensatus contemptus
26. A man of was fainting through poverty: and a man of sense despised:
27. et qui transgreditur a justitia ad peccatum Deus paravit eum ad rompheam
27. And he that passeth over from justice to sin, God hath prepared such an one for the sword.
28. duæ species difficiles et periculosæ mihi apparuerunt difficile exuitur negotians a neglegentia et non justificabitur caupo a peccatis labiæ
28. Two sorts of callings have appeared to me hard and dangerous: a merchant is hardly free from negligence: and a huckster shall not be justified from the sins of the lips.
