Sirach 26
Good News Translation
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 be happy and always look cheerful.
5 There are four things that scare me: vicious rumors spread around town, a gathering mob, false accusations—these are all worse than death. 6 But a woman jealous of another woman causes heartache and grief; her tongue lashes out at everyone.
7 A bad wife is like a yoke that doesn't fit. Trying to control her is like holding a scorpion. 8 A drunken woman is an infuriating sight; she can't conceal her shameless behavior. 9 You can tell an unfaithful wife by the bold and flirting look in her eyes.
10 If your daughter is determined to have her own way, keep a close watch on her. If you don't, she'll take advantage of any chance she gets. 11 If she is too self-willed, be on guard, and don't be surprised if she disappoints you. 12 She'll spread her legs anywhere for any man who wants her, just as a thirsty traveler will drink whatever water is available.
13 A gracious wife is her husband's delight; her abilities make him a stronger man.[a] 14 A wife who doesn't talk too much is a gift from the Lord. Such restraint is admirable beyond words. 15 A modest wife has endless charm; it is a quality too precious to measure. 16 The beauty of a good wife in her well-kept home is like the noonday sun shining in the Lord's sky. 17 Her beautiful face and attractive figure are[b] as lovely as the light from the sacred lampstand in the Temple, 18 and like its gold shaft set on its silver base are her shapely legs and strong ankles.[c][d]
Sad Observations
28 There are two things that make me sad, and a third that makes me angry:
a soldier who has become poor,
intelligent people who are not respected,
and a righteous person who turns to evil.
The Lord will punish such a person with death!
29 A merchant can hardly avoid doing wrong; every salesman is guilty of sin.
Footnotes
- Sirach 26:13 her abilities...man; or she knows how to keep him well-fed.
- Sirach 26:17 and attractive figure are; or as she grows older is.
- Sirach 26:18 strong ankles; some manuscripts have firm breasts or determined heart.
- Sirach 26:18 Some manuscripts add verses 19-27: My child, stay healthy while you are young, and don't give your strength to strangers. 20 Search the whole land for a fertile field, and plant it with your own seed, trusting your own good stock. 21 Then your children will survive and grow up confident of their good family. 22 A prostitute is like spit; a married woman who has affairs brings death to her lovers. 23 A lawless man will get a godless wife, as he deserves, but a man who honors the Lord will have a devout wife. 24 A shameless wife enjoys making a disgrace of herself, but a modest wife will act modestly even alone with her husband. 25 A self-willed woman is a bitch, but a woman with a sense of decency honors the Lord. 26 A wife who honors her husband will seem wise to everyone; but if she dishonors him by her overbearing attitude, everyone will know that she is ungodly. Fortunate is the husband of a good wife, because he will live twice as long. 27 A loud-mouthed, talkative woman is like a trumpet sounding the signal for attack, and any man who has such a wife will spend his life at war.
Sirach 26
New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition
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
- 26.5 Syr: Meaning of Gk uncertain
Ben Sira 26
New American Bible (Revised Edition)
Chapter 26
1 Happy the husband of a good wife;[a]
the number of his days will be doubled.(A)
2 A loyal wife brings joy to her husband,
and he will finish his years in peace.
3 A good wife is a generous gift
bestowed upon him who fears the Lord.(B)
4 Whether rich or poor, his heart is content,
a smile ever on his face.
5 There are three things I dread,
and a fourth which terrifies me:
Public slander, the gathering of a mob,
and false accusation—all harder to bear than death.
6 A wife jealous of another wife is heartache and mourning;[b]
everyone feels the lash of her tongue.
7 A wicked wife is a chafing yoke;
taking hold of her is like grasping a scorpion.
8 A drunken wife arouses great anger,
for she does not hide her shame.
9 By her haughty stare and her eyelids
an unchaste wife can be recognized.
10 Keep a strict watch over an unruly wife,
lest, finding an opportunity, she use it;(C)
11 Watch out for her impudent eye,
and do not be surprised if she betrays you:
12 As a thirsty traveler opens his mouth
and drinks from any water nearby,
So she sits down before every tent peg
and opens her quiver for every arrow.
13 A gracious wife delights her husband;
her thoughtfulness puts flesh on his bones.
14 A silent wife is a gift from the Lord;
nothing is worth more than her self-discipline.
15 A modest wife is a supreme blessing;
no scales can weigh the worth of her chastity.
16 The sun rising in the Lord’s heavens—
the beauty of a good wife in her well-ordered home.
17 The light which shines above the holy lampstand—[c]
a beautiful face on a stately figure.
18 Golden columns on silver bases—
so her shapely legs and steady feet.[d]
Dangers to Integrity and Friendship
28 [e]Two things bring grief to my heart,
and a third arouses my anger:
The wealthy reduced to want,
the intelligent held in contempt,
And those who pass from righteousness to sin—
the Lord prepares them for the sword.(D)
29 A merchant can hardly keep from wrongdoing,
nor can a shopkeeper stay free from sin;
Footnotes
- 26:1–4, 13–18 A good wife is as a gift from God, bringing joy and peace, happiness and contentment to her husband (vv. 1–4) through her thoughtfulness, reserve, modesty and chastity, beauty, grace, and virtue (vv. 13–18).
- 26:6–12 A repetition of the thought expressed in 25:13–26.
- 26:17–18 The lampstand and the columns were located in the holy place of the ancient tabernacle (Ex 25:31–40; 26:32).
- 26:18
Other ancient texts read as vv. 19–27:
19My child, keep intact the bloom of your youth,
and do not give your strength to strangers.
20Seek out a fertile field from all the land,
and sow it with your own seed, confident in your fine stock.
21So shall your offspring prosper,
and grow great, confident in their good descent.
22A woman for hire is regarded as spittle,
but a married woman is a deadly snare for her lovers.
23A godless wife will be given to the lawless man as his portion,
but a godly wife will be given to the man who fears the Lord.
24A shameless woman wears out reproach,
but a virtuous daughter will be modest even before her husband.
25A headstrong wife is regarded as a bitch,
but the one with a sense of shame fears the Lord.
26The wife who honors her husband will seem wise to everyone,
but if she dishonors him in her pride, she will be known to everyone as ungodly.
Happy is the husband of a good wife,
for the number of his years will be doubled.
27A loud-mouthed and garrulous wife will be regarded
as a trumpet sounding the charge,
And every person who lives like this
will spend his life in the anarchy of war.
- 26:28–27:15 From proper conduct in family life, Ben Sira proceeds to social morality, warning especially against injustice in business (26:29–27:3), and perversity of speech in daily life (27:4–7). The pursuit of justice in these matters is all the more meritorious as it is difficult (27:8–10). The discourses of the godly are marked with wisdom, but the conversations of the wicked with offense, swearing, cursing, quarrels, and even bloodshed (27:11–15).
Sirach 26
Douay-Rheims 1899 American Edition
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 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.
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