The Joy of a Good Wife

¹ Happy is the husband of a good wife; the number of his days will be doubled.

² A courageous wife rejoices her husband, and he will complete his years in peace.

³ A good wife is a great blessing; she will be granted among the blessings of the man who fears the Lord.

⁴ Whether rich or poor, his heart is glad, and at all times his face is cheerful.

The Worst Evil: A Wicked Wife

⁵ Of three things my heart is afraid, and at the appearance of a fourth I am frightened: the slander of a city, the gathering of a mob, and false accusation—all these are worse than death.

⁶ There is grief of heart and sorrow when a wife is envious of a rival, and a tongue lashing makes it known to all.

⁷ An evil wife is an ox yoke that chafes; taking hold of her is like grasping a scorpion.

⁸ There is great anger when a wife is drunken; she will not hide her shame.

⁹ A wife’s sexual immorality shows in her lustful eyes, and she is known by her eyelids.

¹⁰ Keep strict watch over a headstrong daughter, lest, when she finds liberty, she use it to her hurt. ¹¹ Be on guard against her impudent eye and do not wonder if she sins against you.

¹² As a thirsty wayfarer opens his mouth and drinks from any water near him, so will she sit in front of every peg and open her quiver to the arrow.

The Blessing of a Good Wife

¹³ A wife’s charm will delight her husband, and her skill will put fat on his bones.

¹⁴ A silent wife is a gift of the Lord, and there is nothing so precious as a disciplined soul.

¹⁵ A modest wife adds charm to charm, and there is no fitting scale to weigh the value of a chaste soul.

¹⁶ Like the sun rising in the heights of the Lord, so is the beauty of a good wife in her well ordered home.

¹⁷ Like the shining lamp on the holy lampstand, so is a beautiful face on a stately figure.

¹⁸ Like pillars of gold on a base of silver, so are beautiful feet with a steadfast heart.

Three Depressing Things

²⁸ At 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!

Temptations of Commerce

²⁹ A merchant can hardly keep from wrongdoing, and a tradesman will not be declared innocent of sin.