Ben Sira 25:13-26:18
New American Bible (Revised Edition)
Wicked and Virtuous Women[a]
13 Any wound, but not a wound of the heart!
Any wickedness, but not the wickedness of a woman!
14 Any suffering, but not suffering from one’s foes!
Any vengeance, but not the vengeance of one’s enemies!
15 There is no poison worse than that of a serpent,
no venom greater than that of a woman.
16 I would rather live with a dragon or a lion
than live with a wicked woman.(A)
17 A woman’s wicked disposition changes her appearance,
and makes her face as dark as a bear.
18 When her husband sits among his neighbors,
a bitter sigh escapes him unawares.
19 There is hardly an evil like that in a woman;
may she fall to the lot of the sinner!
20 Like a sandy hill to aged feet
is a garrulous wife to a quiet husband.
21 Do not be enticed by a woman’s beauty,
or be greedy for her wealth.
22 Harsh is the slavery and great the shame
when a wife supports her husband.
23 Depressed mind, gloomy face,
and a wounded heart—a wicked woman.
Drooping hands and quaking knees,
any wife who does not make her husband happy.
24 With a woman sin had a beginning,
and because of her we all die.[b]
25 Allow water no outlet,
and no boldness of speech to a wicked woman.
26 If she does not go along as you direct,
cut her away from you.
Chapter 26
1 Happy the husband of a good wife;[c]
the number of his days will be doubled.(B)
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.(C)
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;[d]
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;(D)
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—[e]
a beautiful face on a stately figure.
18 Golden columns on silver bases—
so her shapely legs and steady feet.[f]
Footnotes
- 25:13–26 The harsh statements Ben Sira makes about women reflect the kind of instruction young Jewish males were exposed to in the early second century B.C. His patriarchal perspective is as unfair as it is one-sided.
- 25:24 Ben Sira refers to the story of the first sin in Gn 3:1–6. Cf. 2 Cor 11:3 and 1 Tm 2:14. St. Paul, however, singles out Adam; cf. Rom 5:12–19; 1 Cor 15:22.
- 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.
Sirach 25:13-26:18
New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition
Some Extreme Forms of Evil
13 Any wound, but not a wound of the heart!
Any wickedness, but not the wickedness of a woman!
14 Any suffering, but not suffering from those who hate!
And any vengeance, but not the vengeance of enemies!
15 There is no venom[a] worse than a snake’s venom,[b]
and no anger worse than a woman’s[c] wrath.
The Evil of a Wicked Woman
16 I would rather live with a lion and a dragon
than live with an evil woman.
17 A woman’s wickedness changes her appearance,
and darkens her face like that of a bear.
18 Her husband sits[d] among the neighbors,
and he cannot help sighing[e] bitterly.
19 Any iniquity is small compared to a woman’s iniquity;
may a sinner’s lot befall her!
20 A sandy ascent for the feet of the aged—
such is a garrulous wife to a quiet husband.
21 Do not be ensnared by a woman’s beauty,
and do not desire a woman for her possessions.[f]
22 There is wrath and impudence and great disgrace
when a wife supports her husband.
23 Dejected mind, gloomy face,
and wounded heart come from an evil wife.
Drooping hands and weak knees
come from the wife who does not make her husband happy.
24 From a woman sin had its beginning,
and because of her we all die.
25 Allow no outlet to water,
and no boldness of speech to an evil wife.
26 If she does not go as you direct,
separate her from yourself.
The Joy of a Good Wife
26 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 rich or poor, his heart is content,
and at all times his face is cheerful.
The Worst of Evils: A Wicked Wife
5 Of three things my heart is frightened,
and of a fourth I am in great fear:[g]
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 is jealous of a rival,
and a tongue-lashing makes it known to all.
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 an unchaste wife;
her eyelids give her away.
10 Keep strict watch over a headstrong daughter,
or else, when she finds liberty, she will make use of it.
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.
The Blessing of a Good Wife
13 A wife’s charm delights her husband,
and her skill puts flesh on his bones.
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 chastity.
16 Like the sun rising in the heights of the Lord,
so is the beauty of a good wife in her well-ordered home.
17 Like the shining lamp on the holy lampstand,
so is a beautiful face on a stately figure.
18 Like golden pillars on silver bases,
so are shapely legs and steadfast feet.
Footnotes
- Sirach 25:15 Syr: Gk head
- Sirach 25:15 Syr: Gk head
- Sirach 25:15 Other ancient authorities read an enemy’s
- Sirach 25:18 Heb Syr: Gk loses heart
- Sirach 25:18 Other ancient authorities read and listening he sighs
- Sirach 25:21 Heb Syr: Other Gk authorities read for her beauty
- Sirach 26:5 Syr: Meaning of Gk uncertain
Sirach 25:13-26:18
Good News Translation
Advice about Women
13 No wound is as serious as wounded love. No troubles are as serious as the troubles that women cause. 14 No sufferings are worse than the sufferings caused by people who hate you. No revenge is worse than revenge taken by an enemy. 15 No poison is deadlier than the poison of a snake, and no anger is deadlier than the anger of a woman.[a]
16 I would rather live in the same house with a lion or a dragon than with a bad wife. 17 When a wife is in a bad mood, her expression changes until she looks like an angry bear. 18 Her husband has to go and eat with the neighbors, where he can't hold back his bitter sighs.
19 Compared with the troubles caused by a woman, any other trouble looks small. May such women suffer the fate of sinners!
20 A quiet man living with a nagging wife is like an old man climbing up a sandy hill.
21 Never lose your head over a woman's beauty, and don't try to win a woman because she is wealthy.[b] 22 When a man is supported by his wife, there is sure to be anger, arrogance, and humiliation. 23 A bad wife will make her husband gloomy and depressed, and break his heart. Show me a timid man who can never make up his mind, and I will show you a wife who doesn't make her husband happy. 24 Sin began with a woman, and we must all die because of her. 25 Don't let a bad wife have her way, any more than you would allow water to leak from your cistern. 26 If she won't do as you tell her, divorce her.
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.[c] 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[d] 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.[e][f]
Footnotes
- Sirach 25:15 Some ancient translations woman; Greek enemy.
- Sirach 25:21 Hebrew because she is wealthy; Greek does not have these words.
- 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 25:13-26:18
Douay-Rheims 1899 American Edition
13 How great is he that findeth wisdom and knowledge! but there is none above him that feareth the Lord.
14 The fear of God hath set itself above all things:
15 Blessed is the man, to whom it is given to have the fear of God: he that holdeth it, to whom shall he be likened?
16 The fear of God is the beginning of his love: and the beginning of faith is to be fast joined unto it.
17 The sadness of the heart is every plague: and the wickedness of a woman is all evil.
18 And a man will choose any plague, but the plague of the heart:
19 And any wickedness, but the wickedness of a woman:
20 And any affliction, but the affliction from them that hate him:
21 And any revenge, but the revenge of enemies.
22 There is no head worse than the head of a serpent:
23 And there is no anger above the anger of a woman. It will be more agreeable to abide with a lion and a dragon, than to dwell with a wicked woman.
24 The wickedness of a woman changeth her face: and she darkeneth her countenance as a bear: and sheweth it like sackcloth. In the midst of her neighbours,
25 Her husband groaned, and hearing he sighed a little.
26 All malice is short to the malice of a woman, let the lot of sinners fall upon her.
27 As the climbing of a sandy way is to the feet of the aged, so is a wife full of tongue to a quiet man.
28 Look not upon a woman's beauty, and desire not a woman for beauty.
29 A woman's anger, and impudence, and confusion is great.
30 A woman, if she have superiority, is contrary to her husband.
31 A wicked woman abateth the courage, and maketh a heavy countenance, and a wounded heart.
32 Feeble hands, and disjointed knees, a woman that doth not make her husband happy.
33 From the woman came the beginning of sin, and by her we all die.
34 Give no issue to thy water, no, not a little: nor to a wicked woman liberty to gad abroad.
35 If she walk not at thy hand, she will confound thee in the sight of thy enemies.
36 Cut her off from thy flesh, lest she always abuse thee.
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.
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