The Joy of a Good Wife

1Happy is the husband of a good wife;

the number of his days will be doubled.

2A loyal wife brings joy to her husband,

and he will complete his years in peace.

3A good wife is a great blessing;

she will be granted among the blessings of the man who fears the Lord.

4Whether rich or poor, his heart is content,

and at all times his face is cheerful.

The Worst of Evils: A Wicked Wife

5Of three things my heart is frightened,

and of a fourth I am in great fear:26.5 Syr: Meaning of Gk uncertain

Slander in the city, the gathering of a mob,

and false accusation—all these are worse than death.

6But it is heartache and sorrow when a wife is jealous of a rival,

and a tongue-lashing makes it known to all.

7A bad wife is a chafing yoke;

taking hold of her is like grasping a scorpion.

8A drunken wife arouses great anger;

she cannot hide her shame.

9The haughty stare betrays an unchaste wife;

her eyelids give her away.

10Keep strict watch over a headstrong daughter,

or else, when she finds liberty, she will make use of it.

11Be on guard against her impudent eye,

and do not be surprised if she sins against you.

12As a thirsty traveller opens his mouth

and drinks from any water near him,

so she will sit in front of every tent-peg

and open her quiver to the arrow.

The Blessing of a Good Wife

13A wife's charm delights her husband,

and her skill puts flesh on his bones.

14A silent wife is a gift from the Lord,

and nothing is so precious as her self-discipline.

15A modest wife adds charm to charm,

and no scales can weigh the value of her chastity.

16Like the sun rising in the heights of the Lord,

so is the beauty of a good wife in her well-ordered home.

17Like the shining lamp on the holy lampstand,

so is a beautiful face on a stately figure.

18Like golden pillars on silver bases,

so are shapely legs and steadfast feet.

OTHER ANCIENT AUTHORITIES ADD VERSES 19–27:

19My child, keep sound the bloom of your youth,

and do not give your strength to strangers.

20Seek a fertile field within the whole plain,

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

21So your offspring will prosper,

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

22A prostitute is regarded as spittle,

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

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

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

24A shameless woman constantly acts disgracefully,

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

25A headstrong wife is regarded as a dog,

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

26A wife honouring her husband will seem wise to all,

but if she dishonours 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.

27A loud-voiced and garrulous wife is like a trumpet sounding the charge,

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

Three Depressing Things

28At 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

29A merchant can hardly keep from wrongdoing,

nor is a tradesman innocent of sin.