Sirach 26
aligned by seat — same row, same verse, whatever each bible numbers it
| v | KJV |
|---|---|
| 1 | Blessed is the man that hath a virtuous wife, for the number of his days shall be double. |
| 2 | A virtuous woman rejoiceth her husband, and he shall fulfil the years of his life in peace. |
| 3 | A good wife is a good portion, which shall be given in the portion of them that fear the Lord. |
| 4 | Whether a man be rich or poor, if he have a good heart toward the Lord, he shall at all times rejoice with a cheerful countenance. |
| 5 | There be three things that mine heart feareth; and for the fourth I was sore afraid: the slander of a city, the gathering together of an unruly multitude, and a false accusation: all these are worse than death. |
| 6 | But a grief of heart and sorrow is a woman that is jealous over another woman, and a scourge of the tongue which communicateth with all. |
| 7 | An evil 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 she will not cover her own shame. |
| 9 | The whoredom of a woman may be known in her haughty looks and eyelids. |
| 10 | If thy daughter be shameless, keep her in straitly, lest she abuse herself through overmuch liberty. |
| 11 | Watch over an impudent eye: and marvel not if she trespass against thee. |
| 12 | She will open her mouth, as a thirsty traveller when he hath found a fountain, and drink of every water near her: by every hedge will she sit down, and open her quiver against every arrow. |
| 13 | The grace of a wife delighteth her husband, and her discretion will fatten his bones. |
| 14 | A silent and loving woman is a gift of the Lord; and there is nothing so much worth as a mind well instructed. |
| 15 | A shamefaced and faithful woman is a double grace, and her continent mind cannot be valued. |
| 16 | As the sun when it ariseth in the high heaven; so is the beauty of a good wife in the ordering of her house. |
| 17 | As the clear light is upon the holy candlestick; so is the beauty of the face in ripe age. |
| 18 | As the golden pillars are upon the sockets of silver; so are the fair feet with a constant heart. |
| 19 | My son, keep the flower of thine age sound; and give not thy strength to strangers. |
| 20 | When thou hast gotten a fruitful possession through all the field, sow it with thine own seed, trusting in the goodness of thy stock. |
| 21 | So thy race which thou leavest shall be magnified, having the confidence of their good descent. |
| 22 | An harlot shall be accounted as spittle; but a married woman is a tower against death to her husband. |
| 23 | A wicked woman is given as a portion to a wicked man: but a godly woman is given to him that feareth the Lord. |
| 24 | A dishonest woman contemneth shame: but an honest woman will reverence her husband. |
| 25 | A shameless woman shall be counted as a dog; but she that is shamefaced will fear the Lord. |
| 26 | A woman that honoureth her husband shall be judged wise of all; but she that dishonoureth him in her pride shall be counted ungodly of all. |
| 27 | A loud crying woman and a scold shall be sought out to drive away the enemies. |
| 28 | There be two things that grieve my heart; and the third maketh me angry: a man of war that suffereth poverty; and men of understanding that are not set by; and one that returneth from righteousness to sin; the Lord prepareth such an one for the sword. |
| 29 | A merchant shall hardly keep himself from doing wrong; and an huckster shall not be freed from sin. |