Sirach · Catholic Public Domain Version
Sirach 26 Catholic Public Domain Version
Notes on this text (3)
- Esther and Daniel are the Vulgate books (Esther 1–16 with the Greek additions as chapters 10:4–16; Daniel 1–14 with the Song of the Three, Susanna and Bel). Baruch 6 is the Letter of Jeremiah.
- The translator's footnotes, cross-references, chapter summaries and book introductions in the CrossWire module are not shown.
- No imprimatur; single translator.
1 Blessed is the husband of a good wife. For the number of his years is doubled.
1 Happy is the husband of a good wife. The number of his days will be doubled.
2 A good wife delights her husband, and she will fill up the years of his life with peace.
2 A faithful wife gives joy to her husband. He will fulfill his years in peace.
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.
3 A good wife is a great gift. She will be given to those who fear the Lord.
4 But, rich or poor, with a good heart, his countenance will be cheerful at all times.
4 Whether a man is rich or poor, a good heart makes a cheerful face at all times.
5 Of three things, my heart has been afraid, and at a fourth, my face has shown dread:
5 Of three things my heart was afraid, and concerning the fourth kind I made supplication: The slander of a city, the assembly of a mob, and a false accusation. All these are more grievous than death.
6 an accusation made by a city, and the gathering of a mob,
6 A grief of heart and sorrow is a woman who is jealous of another woman. Her tongue-lashing makes it known to all.
7 and a deceitful false accusation. All these are more grievous than death.
7 A wicked woman is like a chafing yoke. He who takes hold of her is like one who grasps a scorpion.
8 A jealous wife is a grief and a mourning to the heart.
8 A drunken woman causes great wrath. She will not cover her own shame.
9 In a jealous wife, there is a scourge of the tongue, which communicates with everyone.
9 The fornication of a woman is in the lifting up of her eyes; it will be known by her eyelids.
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.
10 Keep strict watch on a headstrong daughter, lest she find liberty for herself, and use it.
11 An inebriated wife is a great wrath. And her disgrace and indecency will not be covered.
11 Watch out for an impudent eye, and don’t be surprised if it sins against you.
12 The fornication of a wife will become known by the haughtiness of her eyes and by her eyelids.
12 She will open her mouth like a thirsty traveller, and drink from every water that is near. She will sit down at every post, and open her quiver to any arrow.
13 So that her daughter will not also turn away, keep a strict watch; otherwise, having found an opportunity, she may enjoy herself.
13 The grace of a wife will delight her husband. Her knowledge will strengthen his bones.
14 Be wary of the irreverence of her eyes, and you should not wonder if she might disregard you.
14 A silent woman is a gift of the Lord. There is nothing worth so much as a well-instructed soul.
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.
15 A modest woman is grace upon grace. There are no scales that can weigh the value of a self-controlled soul.
16 The grace of an attentive wife will delight her husband, and will fatten his bones.
16 As the sun when it arises in the highest places of the Lord, so is the beauty of a good wife in her well-organized home.
17 Her discipline is a gift from God.
17 As the lamp that shines upon the holy lampstand, so is the beauty of the face on a well-proportioned body.
18 Such is an understanding and quiet wife. For there is no substitution for a well-instructed soul.
18 As the golden pillars are upon a base of silver, so are beautiful feet with the breasts of one who is steadfast.
19 A holy and contrite wife is grace upon grace.
19 Not in this translation
20 And no amount of money is equal to the value of a soul with self-restraint.
20 Not in this translation
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.
21 Not in this translation
22 Like a lamp shining atop a holy lampstand, so is the beauty of a face in the mature stage of life.
22 Not in this translation
23 Like golden pillars upon bases of silver, so are the firm feet of a mature wife upon the soles of her feet.
23 Not in this translation
24 Like everlasting foundations upon a solid rock, so are the commandments of God in the heart of a holy wife.
24 Not in this translation
25 By two things, my heart is greatly saddened, and at a third, anger overwhelms me:
25 Not in this translation
26 a man of war failing because of dire need, and an understanding man treated with contempt,
26 Not in this translation
27 and anyone who crosses over from justice to sin. God has prepared such a one for the spear.
27 Not in this translation
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.
28 For two things my heart is grieved, and for the third anger comes upon me: a warrior who suffers for poverty, men of understanding who are counted as garbage, and one who turns back from righteousness to sin— the Lord will prepare him for the sword! 29 It is difficult for a merchant to keep himself from wrong doing, and for a retailer to be acquitted of sin.