Sirach 26 - New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)

The Joy of a Good Wife

26 Happy is the husband of a good wife;
the number of his days will be doubled.(A)
2 A courageous wife brings joy to her husband,
and he will complete his years in peace.
3 A good wife is a good portion;
she will be granted as a portion to the man who fears the Lord.(B)
4 Whether rich or poor, his heart is content,
and at all times his face is cheerful.(C)

The Worst of Evils: A Wicked Wife

5 Of three things my heart is frightened,
and of a fourth I am in great fear:[a]
slander in the city, the gathering of a mob,
and false accusation—all these are worse than death.
6 But it is heartache and sorrow when a wife has a rival,
and a tongue-lashing makes it known to all.(D)
7 A bad wife is a chafing yoke;
taking hold of her is like grasping a scorpion.
8 A drunken wife arouses great anger;
she cannot hide her shame.
9 The haughty stare betrays a sexually immoral wife;
her eyelids give her away.(E)

10 Keep strict watch over a headstrong daughter,
or else, when she finds liberty, she will make use of it.(F)
11 Be on guard against her impudent eye,
and do not be surprised if she sins against you.
12 As a thirsty traveler opens his mouth
and drinks from any water near him,
so she will sit in front of every tent peg
and open her quiver to the arrow.(G)

The Blessing of a Good Wife

13 A wife’s charm delights her husband,
and her skill puts flesh on his bones.(H)
14 A silent wife is a gift from the Lord,
and nothing is so precious as her self-discipline.
15 A modest wife adds charm to charm,
and no scales can weigh the value of her self-control.
16 Like the sun rising in the heights of the Lord,
so is the beauty of a good wife in her well-ordered home.(I)
17 Like the shining lamp on the holy lampstand,
so is a beautiful face on a stately figure.(J)
18 Like golden pillars on silver bases,
so are shapely legs upon steadfast feet.

Other ancient authorities add verses 19–27:

19 My child, keep sound the bloom of your youth,
and do not give your strength to strangers.(K)
20 Seek a fertile field within the whole plain,
and sow it with your own seed, trusting in your fine stock.
21 So your offspring will prosper,
and, having confidence in their good descent, will grow great.
22 A prostitute is regarded as spittle
and a married woman as a tower of death to her lovers.(L)
23 A godless wife is given as a portion to a lawless man,
but a pious wife is given to the man who fears the Lord.
24 A shameless woman constantly acts disgracefully,
but a modest daughter will even be embarrassed before her husband.
25 A headstrong wife is regarded as a dog,
but one who has a sense of shame will fear the Lord.
26 A wife honoring her husband will seem wise to all,
but if she dishonors him in her pride she will be known to all as ungodly.
Happy is the husband of a good wife,
for the number of his years will be doubled.(M)
27 A loud-voiced and garrulous wife is like a trumpet sounding the charge,
and every person like this lives in the anarchy of war.(N)

Three Depressing Things

28 At two things my heart is grieved,
and because of a third anger comes over me:
a warrior in want through poverty,
intelligent men who are treated contemptuously,
and a man who turns back from righteousness to sin—
the Lord will prepare him for the sword!(O)

The Temptations of Commerce

29 A merchant can hardly keep from wrongdoing,
nor is a tradesman innocent of sin.(P)

Footnotes

  1. 26.5Syr: Meaning of Gk uncertain

Cross references

  1. 26.1 : v 26; Prov 31.10–31
  2. 26.3 : Prov 18.22; 19.14
  3. 26.4 : Prov 15.13; 17.22
  4. 26.6 : Sir 37.11
  5. 26.9 : Prov 6.25
  6. 26.10 : Sir 42.11
  7. 26.12 : Prov 5.15; Ezek 16.25
  8. 26.13 : Prov 15.30; 31.28, 29
  9. 26.16 : Prov 31.27
  10. 26.17 : Lev 24.2, 4
  11. 26.19 : Prov 5.17, 18
  12. 26.22 : Sir 9.9
  13. 26.26 : v 1
  14. 26.27 : Sir 25.20
  15. 26.28 : Ezek 18.24; Sir 13.22; 23.16
  16. 26.29 : Prov 20.14; Sir 27.2; 37.11

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Sirach 26 - Wycliffe Bible (WYC)

26 The husband of a good woman is blessed; for why the number of her years is double. [Blessed is the man of a good woman; the number forsooth of the years of him double.] 2 A strong woman, that is, against sins, delighteth her husband; and (he) shall [ful]fill in peace the years of his life. 3 A go...
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Sirach 26 - Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (RSVCE)

The Joy of a Good Wife26 Happy is the husband of a good wife; the number of his days will be doubled.2 A loyal wife rejoices her husband, and he will complete his years in peace.3 A good wife is a great blessing; she will be granted among the blessings of the man who fears the Lord.4 Whether rich or...
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Sirach 26 - Revised Standard Version (RSV)

The Joy of a Good Wife26 Happy is the husband of a good wife; the number of his days will be doubled.2 A loyal wife rejoices her husband, and he will complete his years in peace.3 A good wife is a great blessing; she will be granted among the blessings of the man who fears the Lord.4 Whether rich or...
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Sirach 26 - New Revised Standard Version, Anglicised (NRSVA)

The Joy of a Good Wife26 Happy is the husband of a good wife; the number of his days will be doubled.2 A loyal wife brings joy to her husband, and he will complete his years in peace.3 A good wife is a great blessing; she will be granted among the blessings of the man who fears the Lord.4 Whether ri...
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Sirach 26 - New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)

The Joy of a Good Wife26 Happy is the husband of a good wife; the number of his days will be doubled.(A)2 A courageous wife brings joy to her husband, and he will complete his years in peace.3 A good wife is a good portion; she will be granted as a portion to the man who fears the Lord.(B)4 Whether ...
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Sirach 26 - Good News Translation (GNT)

26 The husband of a good wife is a fortunate man; he will live twice as long because of her. 2 A fine wife is a joy to her husband, and he can live out his years in peace. 3 A good wife is among the precious blessings given to those who fear the Lord. 4 Whether such men are rich or poor, they will b...
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Sirach 26 - Douay-Rheims 1899 American Edition (DRA)

26 Happy is the husband of a good wife: for the number of his years is double. 2 A virtuous woman rejoiceth her husband: and shall fulfill the years of his life in peace. 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 Rich or ...
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Sirach 26 - Common English Bible (CEB)

26 The husband of a good wifeis favored, and the length of his life will be doubled.2 A courageous wifewill make her husband happy, and he will complete his years in peace.3 A good wife is a great blessing. The one who fears the Lord will receive her as part of his God-given portion.4 Whether in pov...
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