Skip to content
Opens in a new window

[1] Happy is the husband of a good wife; And the number of his days shall be twofold.

[2] A brave woman rejoices her husband; And he shall fulfil his years in peace.

[3] A good wife is a good portion: She shall be given in the portion of such as fear the Lord.

[4] Whether a man be rich or poor, A good heartmakes at all times a cheerful countenance.

[5] Of three things my heart was afraid; And concerning the fourth kind I made supplication: The slander of a city, and the assembly of a multitude, and a false accusation: All these are more grievous than death.

[6] A grief of heart and sorrow is a woman that is jealous ofanother woman, And the scourge of a tongue communicating to all.

[7] A wicked woman isas a yoke of oxen shaken to and fro: He that takes hold of her is as one that graspeth a scorpion.

[8] A drunken womancauses great wrath; And she will not cover her own shame.

[9] The whoredom of a woman is in the lifting up of her eyes; And it shall be known by her eyelids.

[10] Keep strict watch on a headstrong daughter, Lest she find liberty for herself, and use it.

[11] Look well after an impudent eye; And marvel not if it trespass against you.

[12] She will open her mouth, as a thirsty traveller, And drink of every water that is near: At every post will she sit down, And open her quiver againstany arrow.

[13] The grace of a wife will delight her husband; And her knowledge will fatten his bones.

[14] A silent woman is a gift of the Lord; And there is nothing so much worth as a well-instructed soul.

[15] A shamefast woman is grace upon grace; And there is no price worthy of a continent soul.

[16] As the sun when it ariseth in the highest places of the Lord, So is the beauty of a good wife in the ordering of a man's house.

[17] As the lamp that shineth upon the holy candlestick, So is the beauty of the face in ripe age.

[18] As the golden pillars are upon a base of silver, So are beautiful feet with the breasts of one that is stedfast.

[19]

[28] For two things my heart is grieved; And for the third anger comes upon me: A man of war that suffers for poverty; And men of understanding that are counted as refuse: One that turns back from righteousness to sin; The Lord shall prepare him for the sword.

[29] A merchant shall hardly keep himself from wrong doing; And a huckster shall not be acquitted of sin.

Ecclesiasticus — Chapters