Sirach 26:16-18

Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition

Footnotes

1. Sirach 26:18 Other authorities add verses 19–27: ¹⁹ My son, keep sound the bloom of your youth, and do not give your strength to strangers. 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 survive and, having confidence in their good descent, will grow great. ²² A harlot is regarded as spittle, and a married woman as a tower of death to her lovers. 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 is 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. ²⁷ A loud-voiced and garrulous wife is regarded as a war trumpet for putting the enemy to flight, and every person like this lives in the anarchy of war.