Sirach 36:18-27

Douay-Rheims 1899 American Edition

¹⁸ Reward them that patiently wait for thee, that thy prophets may be found faithful: and hear the prayers of thy servants,

¹⁹ According to the blessing of Aaron over thy people, and direct us into the way of justice, and let all know that dwell upon the earth, that thou art God the beholder of all ages.

²⁰ The belly will devour all meat, yet one is better than another.

²¹ The palate tasteth venison and the wise heart false speeches.

²² A perverse heart will cause grief, and a man of experience will resist it.

²³ A woman will receive every man: yet one daughter is better than another.

²⁴ The beauty of a woman cheereth the countenance of her husband, and a man desireth nothing more.

²⁵ If she have a tongue that can cure, and likewise mitigate and shew mercy: her husband is not like other men.

²⁶ He that possesseth a good wife, beginneth a possession: she is a help like to himself, and a pillar of rest.

²⁷ Where there is no hedge, the possession shall be spoiled: and where there is no wife, he mourneth that is in want.