26Happy is the husband of a good wife;

And the number of his days will be doubled.

2 A brave woman rejoices her husband;

And he will fulfill his years in peace.

3 A good wife is a good portion:

She will be given in the portion of such as fear the Lord.

4 Whether a man be rich or poor,

A good heart makes at all times a cheerful countenance.

5 Of three things my heart was afraid;

And concerning the fourth 1 kind I made supplication:

The slander of a city, and the assembly of a multitude, and a false accusation:

All these are more grievous than death.

6 A grief of heart and sorrow is a woman that is jealous of another woman,

And the scourge of a tongue communicating to all.

7 A wicked woman is as a yoke of oxen shaken to and fro:

He that takes hold of her is as one that grasps a scorpion.

8 A drunken woman causes great wrath;

And she will not cover her own shame.

9 The whoredom of a woman is in the lifting up of her eyes;

And it will be known by her eyelids.

10 Keep strict watch on a headstrong daughter,

Lest she find liberty for herself, and use it.

11 Look well after an impudent eye;

And marvel not if it trespass against you.

12 She will open her mouth, as a thirsty traveller,

And drink of every water that is near:

She will sit down at every post,

And open her quiver against any arrow.

13 The grace of a wife will delight her husband;

And her knowledge will fatten his bones.

14 A silent woman is a gift of the Lord;

And there is nothing so much worth as a well-instructed soul.

15 A shamefast woman is grace upon grace;

And there is no 2 price worthy of a continent soul.

16 As the sun when it arises in the highest places of the Lord,

So is the beauty of a good wife in the ordering of 3 a man’s house.

17 As the lamp that shines upon the holy candlestick,

So is the beauty of the face in ripe age.

18 As the golden pillars are upon a base of silver,

So are beautiful feet with the breasts of one that is steadfast. 19-27 4

28 For two things my heart is grieved;

And for the third anger comes upon me:

A man of war that suffers for poverty;

And men of understanding that are counted as refuse:

One that turns back from righteousness to sin;

The Lord will prepare him for the sword.

29 A merchant shall hardly keep himself from wrong doing;

And a huckster will not be acquitted of sin.