1Happy is the husband of a good wife;

the number of his days will be doubled.

2A loyal wife rejoices 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 glad,

and at all times his face is cheerful.

5Of three things my heart is afraid,

and of a fourth I am frightened:26.5 The Greek of this line is uncertain

The slander of a city, the gathering of a mob,

and false accusation — all these are worse than death.

6There is grief of heart and sorrow when a wife is envious of a rival,

and a tongue-lashing makes it known to all.

7An evil wife is an ox yoke which chafes;

taking hold of her is like grasping a scorpion.

8There is great anger when a wife is drunken;

she will not hide her shame.

9A wife's harlotry shows in her lustful eyes,

and she is known by her eyelids.

10Keep strict watch over a headstrong daughter,

lest, when she finds liberty, she use it to her hurt.

11Be on guard against her impudent eye,

and do not wonder if she sins against you.

12As a thirsty wayfarer opens his mouth

and drinks from any water near him,

so will she sit in front of every post

and open her quiver to the arrow.

13A wife's charm delights her husband,

and her skill puts fat on his bones.

14A silent wife is a gift of the Lord,

and there is nothing so precious as a disciplined soul.

15A modest wife adds charm to charm,

and no balance can weigh the value of a chaste soul.

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 pillars of gold on a base of silver,

so are beautiful feet with a steadfast heart.26.18 Other authorities add verses 19-27: 19 My son, keep sound the bloom of your youth, 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 survive and, having confidence in their good descent, will grow great. 22 A harlot is regarded as spittle, 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 A 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. 27 A loud-voiced and garrulous wife is regarded as a war trumpet for putting the enemy to flight, and every person like this lives in the anarchy of war.

28At two things my heart is grieved,

and because of a third anger comes over me:

a warrior in want through poverty,

and intelligent men who are treated contemptuously;

a man who turns back from righteousness to sin —

the Lord will prepare him for the sword!

29A merchant can hardly keep from wrongdoing,

and a tradesman will not be declared innocent of sin.