✠ The Douay-Rheims Bible
✠ Sirach 26
Chapters
SIR 26:1 Happy is the husband of a good wife: for the number of his years is double.
SIR 26:2 A virtuous woman rejoiceth her husband: and shall fulfil the years of his life in peace.
SIR 26:3 A good wife is a good portion, she shall be given in the portion of them that fear God, to a man for his good deeds.
SIR 26:4 Rich or poor, if his heart is good, his countenance shall be cheerful at all times.
SIR 26:5 Of three things my heart hath been afraid, and at the fourth my face hath trembled:
SIR 26:6 The accusation of a city, and the gathering together of the people:
SIR 26:7 And a false calumny, all are more grievous than death.
SIR 26:8 A jealous woman is the grief and mourning of the heart.
SIR 26:9 With a jealous woman is a scourge of the tongue which communicateth with all.
SIR 26:10 As a yoke of oxen that is moved to and fro, so also is a wicked woman: he that hath hold of her, is as he that taketh hold of a scorpion.
SIR 26:11 A drunken woman is a great wrath: and her reproach and shame shall not be hid.
SIR 26:12 The fornication of a woman shall be known by the haughtiness of her eyes, and by her eyelids.
SIR 26:13 On a daughter that turneth not away herself, set a strict watch: lest finding an opportunity she abuse herself.
SIR 26:14 Take heed of the impudence of her eyes, and wonder not if she slight thee.
SIR 26:15 She will open her mouth as a thirsty traveller to the fountain, and will drink of every water near her, and will sit down by every hedge, and open her quiver against every arrow, until she fail.
SIR 26:16 The grace of a diligent woman shall delight her husband, and shall fat his bones.
SIR 26:17 Her discipline is the gift of God.
SIR 26:18 Such is a wise and silent woman, and there is nothing so much worth as a well instructed soul.
SIR 26:19 A holy and shamefaced woman is grace upon grace.
SIR 26:20 And no price is worthy of a continent soul.
SIR 26:21 As the sun when it riseth to the world in the high places of God, so is the beauty of a good wife for the ornament of her house.
SIR 26:22 As the lamp shining upon the holy candlestick, so is the beauty of the face in a ripe age.
SIR 26:23 As golden pillars upon bases of silver, so are the firm feet upon the soles of a steady woman.
SIR 26:24 As everlasting foundations upon a solid rock, so the commandments of God In the heart of a holy woman.
SIR 26:25 At two things my heart is grieved, and the third bringeth anger upon me:
SIR 26:26 A man of was fainting through poverty: and a man of sense despised:
SIR 26:27 And he that passeth over from justice to sin, God hath prepared such an one for the sword.