Sirach 26
26
1A man who is married
to a good woman
is happy, and he will live
twice as long.
2If a wife has courage,
her husband will find happiness
and live a peaceful life.
3A good wife is the best gift
given by the Lord
to those men who fear him,
4and whether such a man
is rich or poor,
the smile on his face
comes from a happy heart.
5I am always extra careful
when I hear ugly gossip
being repeated in the city,
or when a mob comes together,
or when the innocent
are falsely accused.
I would rather die than be part
of those three things.
But a fourth is even worse:
6to have two wives,
with one of them being jealous
of the other.
She can only bring heartache
and sorrow,
as her words cut the family
to pieces.
7To marry an evil woman
is to hold a scorpion
in your hand,
or to wear an ox-yoke#26.7 ox-yoke: A wooden collar that fits around the neck of an ox, so the ox can be made to pull a plow or a cart.
that rubs your shoulders raw.
8When a wife gets drunk
she can be unfaithful,
and then her husband's anger
will explode.
9You know a wife is unfaithful
if her eyes have a look
of invitation.
* 10If your daughter is rebellious
and wants her own way,
watch her closely
11and don't be surprised
if she sins against you
the first chance she gets.
12She will try to have sex
with every man she sees,
just as thirsty travelers
will drink any water
they can find.
13A gracious wife is pleasing
to her husband,
and her cooking skills
keep him fat.#26.13 fat: This was considered a sign of prosperity and God's blessing.
14Her silence is a gift
from the Lord,
and her self-control
is without price.
15Her modesty is the crown
on all her graces;
her faithfulness to her husband
has value beyond measure.
16She has organized her home,
and her beauty there
is like the sun as it rises
in the Lord's heaven.
17A lovely face on a good figure
shines like the lamps
on the sacred lampstand,
18and shapely legs with firm feet
are like golden columns
resting on silver bases.
19Students, when you come of age,
stay away from immoral women
and stay healthy.#26.19 healthy: Verses 19-27 are not in some manuscripts.
20To find a good wife
is to find a good field
where you can plant
your own seed,
knowing that it will produce
a good harvest.
21And as your children grow,
they will have confidence
in your family line
and will become successful.
22A prostitute is worth
less than spit,
and affairs with married women
are deadly.
23Reject God's Law,
and he will give you
a godless wife.
But if you fear the Lord,
your wife will be
faithful to him.
24A shameless wife is vulgar
in public,
but a good woman is modest,
even alone with her husband.
25If a wife does what she pleases,
she is no better than a dog,
but if she is ashamed
to do wrong,
she will fear the Lord.
26Everyone can tell
that a wife is wise
if she honors her husband,
but if she is proud and refuses,
they will see she is ungodly.
Yes, a man who is married
to a good woman
is happy, and he will live
twice as long.
27But the constant talking
of a loud wife
is a trumpet signal
for a battle to begin,
and her family will live
in the chaos of war.#26.27 war: See the note at 26.19.
Doing Right
28It makes me terribly sad
when the rich become poor
or the wise are insulted.
But I get angry
if those who do right
start doing wrong.
The Lord will punish them
with a violent death.
29It is almost impossible
to succeed in business
and still be honest.
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Sirach 26: CEVDCI
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Contemporary English Version, Second Edition (CEV®)
© 2006 American Bible Society. All rights reserved.