KJB-1611 by section SIR 26:1

⌂ ← SIR 26:1–26:29 → ║ ═ ©

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Sirach 26

1 A good wife, 4 and a good conscience doe glad men. 6 A wicked wife is a feareful thing. 13 Of good and bad wiues. 28 Of three things that are grieuous. 29 Merchants and hucksters are not without sinne.

XXVI ¶ Blessed is the man that hath a vertuous wife, for the number of his dayes shall be double.2 A vertuous woman reioyceth her husband, and he shall fulfill the yeeres of his life in peace.3 A good wife is a good portion, which shall be giuen in the portion of them that feare the Lord.4 Whether a man be rich or poore, if he haue a good heart towards the Lord, he shall at all times reioyce with a cheerefull countenance.5 [fn]There bee three things that mine heart feareth: and for the fourth I was sore afraid: the slander of a citie, the gathering together of an vnruly multitude, and a false accusation: all these are worse then death.6 But a griefe of heart and sorrow, is a woman that is ielous ouer another woman, and a scourge of the tongue which communicateth withall.7 [fn]An euil wife is a yoke shaken to and fro: he that hath hold of her, is as though he held a scorpion.8 A drunken woman and a gadder abroad, causeth great anger, and shee will not couer her owne shame.9 The whordome of a woman may be knowen in her haughtie lookes, and eye lids.10 [ref]If thy daughter be shamelesse, keepe her in straitly: lest she abuse her selfe through ouermuch libertie.11 Watch ouer an impudent eye: and marueile not, if shee trespasse against thee.12 [fn]Shee will open her mouth as a thirstie traueiler, when he hath found a fountaine: and drinke of euery water neere her: by euery hedge will she sit downe, and open her quiuer against euery arrow.13 The grace of a wife delighteth her husband, and her discretion will fat his bones.14 A silent and louing woman is a gift of the Lord, and there is nothing so much worth, as a mind well instructed.15 A shamefast and faithfull woman is a double grace, and her continent mind cannot be valued.16 [fn][fn]As the Sunne when it ariseth in the high heauen: so is the beautie of a good wife in the ordering of her house.17 [fn]As the cleare light is vpon the holy candlesticke: so is the beautie of the face in ripe age.18 [fn][fn]As the golden pillars are vpon the sockets of siluer: so are the faire feete with a constant heart.19 My sonne, keepe the flowre of thine age sound: and giue not thy strength to strangers.20 When thou hast gotten a fruitfull possession through all the field: sowe it with thine owne seede, trusting in the goodnesse of thy stocke.21 So thy race which thou leauest shalbe magnified, hauing the confidence of their good descent.22 [fn]An harlot shall bee accounted as spittle: but a maried woman is a towre against death to her husband.23 A wicked woman is giuen as a portion to a wicked man: but a godly woman is giuen to him that feareth the Lord.24 A dishonest woman contemneth shame, but an honest woman will reuerence her husband.25 A shamelesse woman shalbe counted as a dog: but she that is shamefast will feare the Lord.26 A woman that honoureth her husband, shall bee iudged wise of all: but she that dishonoureth him in her pride, shall be counted vngodly of all.27 A loude crying woman, and a scolde, shall be sought out to driue away the enemies.28 There be two things that grieue my heart: and the third maketh me angry: a man of warre that suffereth pouerty, and men of vnderstanding that are not set by: and one that returneth from righteousnesse to sinne: the Lord prepareth such a one for the sword.29 A merchant shall hardly keepe himselfe from doing wrong: and an huckster shall not be freed from sinne.

26:5 Gr. an euill report.

26:7 Or, a yoke of oxen.

26:12 Or stake.

26:16 Gre. in the highest places of the Lord.

26:16 Or, ornament.

26:17 Or, in constant age.

26:18 Or, comely.

26:18 Or, brest.

26:22 Or, a swine.

26:10 Chap. 44.11.