The Wisdom of Jesus the Son of Sirach, or Ecclesiasticus 26

1Happy is the husband of a good wife; 2A brave woman rejoices her husband; 3A good wife is a good portion: 4Whether a man be rich or poor, makes at all times a cheerful countenance. 5Of three things my heart was afraid; kind I made supplication: Gr. countenance. 6A grief of heart and sorrow is a woman that is jealous of another woman, 7A wicked woman is as a yoke of oxen shaken to and fro: 8A drunken woman causes great wrath; 9The whoredom of a woman is in the lifting up of her eyes; 10Keep strict watch on a headstrong daughter, 11Look well after an impudent eye; 12She will open her mouth, as a thirsty traveller, any arrow. 13The grace of a wife will delight her husband; 14A silent woman is a gift of the Lord; 15A shamefast woman is grace upon grace; price worthy of a continent soul. Gr. weight. 16As the sun when it arises in the highest places of the Lord, a man’s house. Gr. his. 17As the lamp that shineth upon the holy candlestick, 18As the golden pillars are upon a base of silver, 19Verses 19-27 are omitted by the best authorities. 28For two things my heart is grieved; 29A merchant shall hardly keep himself from wrong doing;