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The Book of Jesus Sirach

⭑ Douay-Rheims :: World English Bible Catholic ⭑

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- Chapter 26 -

Of good and bad women.

1
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 poor, if his heart is good, his countenance shall be cheerful at all times.
5
Of three things my heart hath been afraid, and at the fourth my face hath trembled:
6
The accusation of a city, and the gathering together of the people:
7
And a false calumny, all are more grievous than death.
8
A jealous woman is the grief and mourning of the heart.
9
With a jealous woman is a scourge of the tongue which communicateth with all.
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
A drunken woman is a great wrath: and her reproach and shame shall not be hid.
12
The fornication of a woman shall be known by the haughtiness of her eyes, and by her eyelids.
13
On a daughter that turneth not away herself, set a strict watch: lest finding an opportunity she abuse herself.
14
Take heed of the impudence of her eyes, and wonder not if she slight thee.
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
The grace of a diligent woman shall delight her husband, and shall fat his bones.
17
Her discipline is the gift of God.
18
Such is a wise and silent woman, and there is nothing so much worth as a well instructed soul.
19
A holy and shamefaced woman is grace upon grace.
20
And no price is worthy of a continent soul.
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
As the lamp shining upon the holy candlestick, so is the beauty of the face in a ripe age.
23
As golden pillars upon bases of silver, so are the firm feet upon the soles of a steady woman.
24
As everlasting foundations upon a solid rock, so the commandments of God In the heart of a holy woman.
25
At two things my heart is grieved, and the third bringeth anger upon me:
26
A man of was fainting through poverty: and a man of sense despised:
27
And he that passeth over from justice to sin, God hath prepared such an one for the sword.
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.

Of good and bad women.

1
Happy is the husband of a good wife. The number of his days will be doubled.
2
A faithful wife gives joy to her husband. He will fulfill his years in peace.
3
A good wife is a great gift. She will be given to those who fear the Lord.
4
Whether a man is rich or poor, a good heart makes a cheerful face at all times.
5
Of three things my heart was afraid, and concerning the fourth(a) 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
A grief of heart and sorrow is a woman who is jealous of another woman. Her tongue-lashing makes it known to all.
7
A wicked woman is like a chafing yoke. He who takes hold of her is like one who grasps a scorpion.
8
A drunken woman causes great wrath. She will not cover her own shame.
9
The fornication of a woman is in the lifting up of her eyes; it will be known by her eyelids.
10
Keep strict watch on a headstrong daughter, lest she find liberty for herself, and use it.
11
Watch out for an impudent eye, and don’t be surprised if it sins against you.
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
The grace of a wife will delight her husband. Her knowledge will strengthen(b) his bones.
14
A silent woman is a gift of the Lord. There is nothing worth so much as a well-instructed soul.
15
A modest woman is grace upon grace. There are no scales that can weigh the value of a self-controlled soul.
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
As the lamp that shines upon the holy lampstand, so is the beauty of the face on a well-proportioned body.
18
As the golden pillars are upon a base of silver, so are beautiful feet with the breasts of one who is steadfast.
19
(c)
20
(d)
21
(e)
22
(f)
23
(g)
24
(h)
25
(i)
26
(j)
27
(k)
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.

Footnotes

(a)26:5 Gr. countenance.
(b)26:13 or, fatten
(c)26:19 Verses 19-27 are omitted by the best authorities.
(d)26:19 Verses 19-27 are omitted by the best authorities.
(e)26:19 Verses 19-27 are omitted by the best authorities.
(f)26:19 Verses 19-27 are omitted by the best authorities.
(g)26:19 Verses 19-27 are omitted by the best authorities.
(h)26:19 Verses 19-27 are omitted by the best authorities.
(i)26:19 Verses 19-27 are omitted by the best authorities.
(j)26:19 Verses 19-27 are omitted by the best authorities.
(k)26:19 Verses 19-27 are omitted by the best authorities.
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