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Apoteichisis

The Old Testament

Wisdom of Sirach 26

ΣΟΦΙΑ ΣΕΙΡΑΧ · 26

Brenton 26:1

Blessed is the man that hath a virtuous wife, for the number of his days shall be double.

Brenton 26:2

A virtuous woman rejoiceth her husband, and he shall fulfil the years of his life in peace.

Brenton 26:3

A good wife is a good portion, which shall be given in the portion of them that fear the Lord.

Brenton 26:4

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.

Brenton 26:5

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.

Brenton 26:6

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.

Brenton 26:7

An evil wife is a yoke shaken to and fro: he that hath hold of her is as though he held a scorpion.

Brenton 26:8

A drunken woman and a gadder abroad causeth great anger, and she will not cover her own shame.

Brenton 26:9

The whoredom of a woman may be known in her haughty looks and eyelids.

Brenton 26:10

If thy daughter be shameless, keep her in straitly, lest she abuse herself through overmuch liberty.

Brenton 26:11

Watch over an impudent eye: and marvel not if she trespass against thee.

Brenton 26:12

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.

Brenton 26:13

The grace of a wife delighteth her husband, and her discretion will fatten his bones.

Brenton 26:14

A silent and loving woman is a gift of the Lord; and there is nothing so much worth as a mind well instructed.

Brenton 26:15

A shamefaced and faithful woman is a double grace, and her continent mind cannot be valued.

Brenton 26:16

As the sun when it ariseth in the high heaven; so is the beauty of a good wife in the ordering of her house.

Brenton 26:17

As the clear light is upon the holy candlestick: so is the beauty of the face in ripe age.

Brenton 26:18

As the golden pillars are upon the sockets of silver; so are the fair feet with a constant heart.

Brenton 26:28

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.

Brenton 26:29

A merchant shall hardly keep himself from doing wrong; and an huckster shall not be freed from sin.

Brenton supplied wording, small capitals, translation notes, Greek wording, and edition-specific verse identifiers are retained. Parallel passages keep each edition's own references. Editions and sources.