Happiness in Marriage
1 Happy is the husband of a good wife. The number of his days will be doubled. 2 A faithful wife gives joy to her husband. He will fulfill his years in peace. 3 A good wife is a great gift. She will be given to those who fear the Lord. 4 Whether a man is rich or poor, a good heart makes a cheerful face at all times.
Fears and Family Discord
5 My heart was afraid of three things, and I prayed about a fourth: The slander of a city, the assembly of a mob, and a false accusation. All these are more painful than death. 6 A woman who is jealous of another woman is grief of heart and sorrow. Her tongue-lashing makes it known to all. 7 A wicked woman is like a chafing yoke. He who takes hold of her is like one who grasps a scorpion. 8 A drunken woman causes great anger. She will not cover her own shame. 9 A woman’s sexual immorality shows in her raised eyes and will be known by her eyelids. 10 Keep strict watch on a headstrong daughter, in case she finds freedom for herself and uses it. 11 Watch out for an shameless eye, and don’t be surprised if it sins against you. 12 She will open her mouth like a thirsty traveler, and drink from every water that is near. She will sit down at every post, and open her quiver to any arrow.
A Good Wife’s Gifts
13 The grace of a wife will delight her husband. Her knowledge will strengthen his bones. 14 A silent woman is a gift from the Lord. Nothing is worth as much as a well-instructed soul. 15 A modest woman is grace added to grace. There are no scales that can weigh the value of a self-controlled soul. 16 The beauty of a good wife in her well-organized home is like the sun rising in the highest places of the Lord. 17 The beauty of a face on a well-proportioned body is like a lamp shining on the holy lampstand. 18 Beautiful feet with the breasts of someone steadfast are like golden pillars on a silver base.
Causes of Sorrow
28 For two things my heart is distressed, and for the third anger comes on me: a warrior who suffers because of poverty, men of understanding who are counted as garbage, and one who turns back from righteousness to sin. The Lord will prepare him for the sword!
The Risks of Commerce
29 It is difficult for a merchant to keep himself from wrongdoing, and for a retailer to be acquitted of sin.
Texts in conversation
Compare Jesus Ben Sira, Sirach 26:8 and Clement of Alexandria, The Instructor 2.2
Deuterocanon · Early Christian
Summary
Passages
Jesus Ben Sira, Sirach 26:8
Deuterocanon · Ben Sira, EcclesiasticusHer tongue-lashing makes it known to all. 7 A wicked woman is like a chafing yoke.
He who takes hold of her is like one who grasps a scorpion. 8 A drunken woman causes great anger.
She will not cover her own shame. 9 A woman’s sexual immorality shows in her raised eyes
and will be known by her eyelids. 10 Keep strict watch on a headstrong daughter,
in case she finds freedom for herself and uses it.
Clement of Alexandria, The Instructor 2.2
Early Christian · PaedagogusReferences
References are not endorsements of their contents. Read each reference in full to understand its author's intentions in using these texts.
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