Ecclesiasticus
Ecclesiasticus 26
Chapter XXVI · Vol. III, p. 1568
1 A good wife and a good conscience, do gladden men. 6 A wicked wife is a fearful thing. 13 Of good and bad wives. 28 Of three things that are grievous. 29 Merchants and hucksters are not without sin.
1 Blessed is the man that hath a virtuous wife, for the number of his days shall be double.
2 A virtuous woman rejoiceth her husband, and he shall fulfil the years of his life in peace.
3 A good wife is a good portion, which shall be given in the portion of them that 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.
5 There be three things that my heart feareth; and for the fourth I was sore afraid: 1the slander of a city, and gathering together of an unruly multitude, and a false accusation: all these are worse than death.
1 Gr. an evil report.
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 An evil wife is 2a yoke shaken to and fro: he that hath hold of her is as though he held a scorpion.
2 Or, a yoke of oxen.
8 A drunken woman and a gadder abroad causeth great anger, and she will not cover her own shame.
9 The whoredom of a woman may be known in her haughty looks and eyelids.
10 3If thy daughter be shameless, keep her in straightly, lest she abuse herself through overmuch liberty.
3 ch. 42. 11.
11 Watch over an impudent eye: and marvel not if she trespass against thee.
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 4hedge she will sit down, and open her quiver against every arrow.
4 Or, stake.
13 The grace of a wife delighteth her husband, and her discretion will fatten his bones.
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 shamefaced and a faithful woman is a double grace, and her continent mind cannot be valued.
16 As the sun when it ariseth 5in the high heaven; so is the beauty of a good wife in the 6ordering of her house.
5 Gr. in the highest places of the Lord.
6 Or, ornament.
17 As the clear light is upon the holy candlestick; so is the beauty of the face 7in ripe age.
7 Or, in constant age.
18 As the golden pillars are upon the sockets of silver; so are the 8fair feet with a constant 9heart.
8 Or, comely.
9 Or, breast.
19 My son, keep the flower of thine age sound; and give not thy strength to strangers.
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 So thy race which thou leavest shalt be magnified, having the confidence of their good descent.
22 A harlot shall be accounted as *spittle, but a married woman is a tower against death to her husband.
* Or, a swine.
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 A dishonest woman contemneth shame: but an honest woman will reverence her husband.
25 A shameless woman shall be accounted as a dog; but she that is shamefaced will fear the Lord.
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 A loud crying woman and a scold shall be sought out to drive away the enemies.
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 a one for the sword.
29 A merchant shall hardly keep himself from doing wrong and a huckster shall not be freed from sin.