WISDOM 26

1 Baruḵ is the man that has a capable wife,
For the number of his days shall be double.

2 A capable woman gladdens her husband,
And he shall fill the years of his life in peace.

3 A good wife is a good portion,
Which shall be given in the portion of those who revere 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄.

4 Whether a man is wealthy or poor,
If he has a good heart toward 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄,
He shall rejoice at all times with a cheerful face.

5 There are three matters that my heart fears;
And of the fourth I was very afraid:
The slander of a city, the gathering together of an unruly crowd, and a false accusation;
All these are worse than death.

6 But a woman that is jealous over another woman is grieving to the heart and sorrow;
And a lashing tongue which makes known to all.

7 An evil wife is a yoke shaken to and fro;
He who has hold of her is as though he held a scorpion.

8 A drunken and wandering woman causes great wrath,
And she does not cover her own shame.

9 The whoring of a woman is known by her haughty looks and eyelids.

10 If your daughter is wayward, keep her straight,
Lest she abuse herself through too much freedom.

11 Watch over one with a hard eye;
And do not marvel if she trespasses against you.

12 She shall open her mouth, as a thirsty traveller who has found a fountain,
And drink of every water near her.
By every hedge she shall sit down,
And open her quiver for every arrow.

13 The favour of a wife delights her husband,
And her discretion shall fatten his bones.

14 A silent and loving woman is a gift of 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄;
And there is naught worth as much as a mind well instructed.

15 A humble and trustworthy woman is a double favour,
And her sober mind cannot be valued.

16 As the sun when it rises high in the shamayim;
So is the loveliness of a good wife in the ordering of her house.

17 As the shining light upon the qodesh candlestick;
So is the loveliness of the face in ripe age.

18 As the golden stands upon the sockets of silver;
So are the lovely feet with a constant heart.

19 My son, guard the flower of your youth well;
And do not give your strength to foreigners.

20 When you have acquired a fruitful possession through all the field,
Sow it with your own seed, trusting in the goodness of your stock.

21 So your relatives which you leave are made great,
Having the confidence of their good genealogy.

22 A whore shall be counted 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 reverent woman is given to he who reveres 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄.

24 A dishonest woman is despised and shamed;
But an honest woman shall revere her husband.

25 A headstrong woman shall be counted as a dog;
But she that is humble reveres 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄.

26 A woman that esteems her husband shall be judged wise among all;
But she that shames him in her pride shall be counted wicked among all.

27 A loud-mouthed woman and a nagger shall be sought out to drive away the enemies.

28 There are two matters that grieve my heart;
And the third makes me wroth:
A man of battle that suffers poverty;
And men of understanding that are not respected;
And one that turns from righteousness to sin;
𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄 prepares such a one for the sword.

29 A merchant hardly guards himself from doing wrong;
And a trader is not free from sin.