Ecclesiasticus, 26

1. Happy the husband of a good wife, twice-lengthened are his days;

2. A worthy wife brings joy to her husband, peaceful and full is his life.

3. A good wife is a generous gift bestowed upon him who fears the LORD;

4. Be he rich or poor, his heart is content, and a smile is ever on his face.

5. There are three things at which my heart quakes, a fourth before which I quail: Though false charges in public, trial before all the people, and lying testimony are harder to bear than death,

6. A jealous wife is heartache and mourning and a scourging tongue like the other three.

7. A bad wife is a chafing yoke; he who marries her seizes a scorpion.

8. A drunken wife arouses great anger, for she does not hide her shame.

9. By her eyelids and her haughty stare an unchaste wife can be recognized.

10. Keep a strict watch over an unruly wife, lest, finding an opportunity, she make use of it;

11. Follow close if her eyes are bold, and be not surprised if she betrays you:

12. As a thirsty traveler with eager mouth drinks from any water that he finds, So she settles 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 gift from the LORD is her governed speech, and her firm virtue is of surpassing worth.

15. Choicest of blessings is a modest wife, priceless her chaste person.

16. Like the sun rising in the LORD'S heavens, the beauty of a virtuous wife is the radiance of her home.

17. Like the light which shines above the holy lampstand, are her beauty of face and graceful figure.

18. Golden columns on silver bases are her shapely limbs and steady feet.

19. These two bring grief to my heart, and the third arouses my horror: A wealthy man reduced to want; illustrious men held in contempt; And the man who passes from justice to sin, for whom the LORD makes ready the sword.

20. A merchant can hardly remain upright, nor a shopkeeper free from sin;