Sirach

Chapter-26

Sirach 26:1 Blessed is the husband of a good wife. For the number of his years is doubled.

 

Sirach 26:2 A good wife delights her husband, and she will fill up the years of his life with peace.

 

Sirach 26:3 A good wife is a good portion. She will be given the portion of those who fear God, like a man who has done good deeds.

 

Sirach 26:4 But, rich or poor, with a good heart, his countenance will be cheerful at all times.

 

Sirach 26:5 Of three things, my heart has been afraid, and at a fourth, my face has shown dread:

 

Sirach 26:6 an accusation made by a city, and the gathering of a mob,

 

Sirach 26:7 and a deceitful false accusation. All these are more grievous than death.

 

Sirach 26:8 A jealous wife is a grief and a mourning to the heart.

 

Sirach 26:9 In a jealous wife, there is a scourge of the tongue, which communicates with everyone.

 

Sirach 26:10 Like a yoke of oxen being provoked, so also is a wicked wife. He who has hold of her is like one who has taken hold of a scorpion.

 

Sirach 26:11 An inebriated wife is a great wrath. And her disgrace and indecency will not be covered.

 

Sirach 26:12 The fornication of a wife will become known by the haughtiness of her eyes and by her eyelids.

 

Sirach 26:13 So that her daughter will not also turn away, keep a strict watch; otherwise, having found an opportunity, she may enjoy herself.

 

Sirach 26:14 Be wary of the irreverence of her eyes, and you should not wonder if she might disregard you.

 

Sirach 26:15 Like a thirsty traveler, she will open her mouth to the fountain, and she will drink from every water nearby, and she will sit down beside every fencepost, and she will open her quiver to every arrow, until she becomes weary.

 

Sirach 26:16 The grace of an attentive wife will delight her husband, and will fatten his bones.

 

Sirach 26:17 Her discipline is a gift from God.

 

Sirach 26:18 Such is an understanding and quiet wife. For there is no substitution for a well-instructed soul.

 

Sirach 26:19 A holy and contrite wife is grace upon grace.

 

Sirach 26:20 And no amount of money is equal to the value of a soul with self-restraint.

 

Sirach 26:21 Like the sun rising over the world in the high places of God, so the beauty of a good wife is the adornment of her house.

 

Sirach 26:22 Like a lamp shining atop a holy lampstand, so is the beauty of a face in the mature stage of life.

 

Sirach 26:23 Like golden pillars upon bases of silver, so are the firm feet of a mature wife upon the soles of her feet.

 

Sirach 26:24 Like everlasting foundations upon a solid rock, so are the commandments of God in the heart of a holy wife.

 

Sirach 26:25 By two things, my heart is greatly saddened, and at a third, anger overwhelms me:

 

Sirach 26:26 a man of war failing because of dire need, and an understanding man treated with contempt,

 

Sirach 26:27 and anyone who crosses over from justice to sin. God has prepared such a one for the spear.

 

Sirach 26:28 Two kinds of things have seemed difficult and dangerous to me: a merchant will not be easily freed from his negligence, and a shopkeeper will not be justified by the sins of his lips.