1 Happy is the husband of a good wife;
And the number of his days shall be twofold.
2 A brave woman rejoices her husband;
And he shall fulfil his years in peace.
3 A good wife is a good portion:
She shall be given in the portion of such as fear the Lord.
4 Whether a man be rich or poor,
A good heartmakesat all times a cheerful countenance.
5 Of three things my heart was afraid;
And concerning the fourthkind 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 ofanotherwoman,
And the scourge of a tongue communicating to all.
7 A wicked woman isasa yoke of oxen shaken to and fro:
He that takes hold of her is as one that graspeth a scorpion.
8 A drunken womancausesgreat 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 shall 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:
At every post will she sit down,
And open her quiver againstanyarrow.
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 noprice 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 ofa man’s house.
17 As the lamp that shineth 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 stedfast.
19-27
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 shall prepare him for the sword.
29 A merchant shall hardly keep himself from wrong doing;
And a huckster shall not be acquitted of sin.