| Chapter 26 |
1 |
Blessed is the man that hath a virtuous wife, for the number of his days shall be double. |
2 |
A virtuous woman rejoiceth her husband, and he shall fulfil the years of his life in peace. |
3 |
A good wife is a good portion, which shall be given in the portion of them that fear the Lord. |
4 |
Whether a man be rich or poor, if he have a good heart toward the Lord, he shall at all times rejoice with a cheerful countenance. |
5 |
There be three things that mine heart feareth; and for the fourth I was sore afraid: the slander of a city, the gathering together of an unruly multitude, and a false accusation: all these are worse than death. |
6 |
But a grief of heart and sorrow is a woman that is jealous over another woman, and a scourge of the tongue which communicateth with all. |
7 |
An evil wife is a yoke shaken to and fro: he that hath hold of her is as though he held a scorpion. |
8 |
A drunken woman and a gadder abroad causeth great anger, and she will not cover her own shame. |
9 |
The whoredom of a woman may be known in her haughty looks and eyelids. |
10 |
If thy daughter be shameless, keep her in straitly, lest she abuse herself through overmuch liberty. |
11 |
Watch over an impudent eye: and marvel not if she trespass against thee. |
12 |
She will open her mouth, as a thirsty traveller when he hath found a fountain, and drink of every water near her: by every hedge will she sit down, and open her quiver against every arrow. |
13 |
The grace of a wife delighteth her husband, and her discretion will fatten his bones. |
14 |
A silent and loving woman is a gift of the Lord; and there is nothing so much worth as a mind well instructed. |
15 |
A shamefaced and faithful woman is a double grace, and her continent mind cannot be valued. |
16 |
As the sun when it ariseth in the high heaven; so is the beauty of a good wife in the ordering of her house. |
17 |
As the clear light is upon the holy candlestick; so is the beauty of the face in ripe age. |
18 |
As the golden pillars are upon the sockets of silver; so are the fair feet with a constant heart. |
19 |
My son, keep the flower of thine age sound; and give not thy strength to strangers. |
20 |
When thou hast gotten a fruitful possession through all the field, sow it with thine own seed, trusting in the goodness of thy stock. |
21 |
So thy race which thou leavest shall be magnified, having the confidence of their good descent. |
22 |
An harlot shall be accounted as spittle; but a married woman is a tower against death to her husband. |
23 |
A wicked woman is given as a portion to a wicked man: but a godly woman is given to him that feareth the Lord. |
24 |
A dishonest woman contemneth shame: but an honest woman will reverence her husband. |
25 |
A shameless woman shall be counted as a dog; but she that is shamefaced will fear the Lord. |
26 |
A woman that honoureth her husband shall be judged wise of all; but she that dishonoureth him in her pride shall be counted ungodly of all. |
27 |
A loud crying woman and a scold shall be sought out to drive away the enemies. |
28 |
There be two things that grieve my heart; and the third maketh me angry: a man of war that suffereth poverty; and men of understanding that are not set by; and one that returneth from righteousness to sin; the Lord prepareth such an one for the sword. |
29 |
A merchant shall hardly keep himself from doing wrong; and an huckster shall not be freed from sin. |