Sirach 26 - New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition 2021(NRSVUE)

Sirach 26The Joy of a Good Wife

1

slander in the city, the gathering of a mob,

and false accusation—all these are worse than death.

6

and do not give your strength to strangers.

20 Seek a fertile field within the whole plain,

and sow it with your own seed, trusting in your fine stock.

21 So your offspring will prosper,

and, having confidence in their good descent, will grow great.

22

and a married woman as a tower of death to her lovers.

23 A godless wife is given as a portion to a lawless man,

but a pious wife is given to the man who fears the Lord.

24 A shameless woman constantly acts disgracefully,

but a modest daughter will even be embarrassed before her husband.

25 A headstrong wife is regarded as a dog,

but one who has a sense of shame will fear the Lord.

26

but if she dishonors him in her pride she will be known to all as ungodly.

Happy is the husband of a good wife,

for the number of his years will be doubled.

27

and every person like this lives in the anarchy of war. ———

Three Depressing Things

28 Ezek 18.24; Sir 13.22; 23.16 At two things my heart is grieved,

and because of a third anger comes over me:

a warrior in want through poverty,

intelligent men who are treated contemptuously,

and a man who turns back from righteousness to sin—

the Lord will prepare him for the sword!

The Temptations of Commerce

29 Prov 20.14; Sir 27.2; 37.11 A merchant can hardly keep from wrongdoing,

nor is a tradesman innocent of sin.