Sirach
Chapter 26
The Good Woman
Happy is the husband of a good wife; his days will be doubled.
A woman of character is her husband’s joy; he will live in peace all his years of his life.
A good wife is the greatest gift, reserved for those who fear the Lord;
whether rich or poor, he will have a peaceful heart and a happy face.
The Bad Woman
Three things disturb me, and a fourth frightens me: neighborhood gossip, a rioting mob, a false accusation—these are worse than death.
But a woman jealous of another woman brings heartbreak; her tongue lashes out at everyone.
A bad wife is like a poorly made yoke; taking her is like grasping a scorpion.
A drunken wife causes scandal; her disgrace will not stay hidden.
A licentious woman is noticed by her secretive looks and recognized by her lively eyes.
Keep a close eye on a defiant daughter so she doesn’t take advantage of any opportunity.
Beware of the provocative woman, and don’t be surprised if she tries to drag you into disgrace.
She opens her mouth like a thirsty traveler drinking whatever water comes her way; she sits by any pole and aims at every arrow in her quiver.
The Good Woman
A wife’s grace brings joy to her husband, and her prudence refreshes his spirit.
A wife who knows how to be silent is a gift from the Lord; a well-trained wife is invaluable.
A modest wife is a blessing among blessings; a chaste wife is priceless.
Like the sunrise over the mountains of the Lord, so is the enchantment of a good wife in a well-kept home.
Like the light that shines from the sacred lampstand, so is a beautiful face in a well-shaped body.
Like pillars of gold on a silver base, so are beautiful legs on sturdy feet.
Exhortation
My child, stay healthy while you’re young, and don’t give your strength to strangers.
Search across the entire land for a fertile field, and plant it with your own seed, trusting your good stock.
Then your children will survive and grow up confident in their good family.
A prostitute is like spit; a married woman who has affairs causes harm to her lovers.
A lawless man will receive a godless wife, as he deserves, but a man who honors the Lord will have a devout wife.
A shameless wife enjoys humiliating herself, but a modest wife will behave modestly even when alone with her husband.
A self-willed woman is often seen as difficult, but a woman with decency honors the Lord.
A wife who shows respect to her husband will appear wise to everyone, but if she disrespects him with an overbearing attitude, everyone will see that she is ungodly. Lucky is the husband of a good wife because he will live twice as long.
A loud-mouthed, talkative woman is like a trumpet sounding the alarm for battle, and any man who has such a wife will live in constant conflict.
Two things grieve me, and a third that makes me angry: a warrior who suffers want; intelligent men who are treated contemptuously; a man who turns from virtue to sin. The Lord singles this man out to strike him down.
Merchants
The merchant can hardly resist greed; the shopkeeper cannot stay sinless.
Commentaries
The Bad Woman – The Good Woman – Exhortation.
Of course, a female reading of this passage must first consider its socio-cultural context before judging the author. This isn’t to justify it, but to recognize that everyone is influenced by their time, and Ben Sirach is no exception. This descriptive way of defining a good or evil woman reflects the social behaviors and cultural values of that era, which need to be understood and reexamined through Jesus’ teachings, especially his specific attitudes toward women. Passages like this should not be ignored or cause frustration; instead, we should keep them in mind to objectively compare—based on real facts—the differences, if any, between how women were viewed in that distant patriarchal era and how we see women today, along with modern women’s self-perception.
Merchants.
Based on his experience, the author assumes that merchants and traders are not immune to injustice. It appears that these figures have never enjoyed a good reputation. Still, the problem lies not in being a merchant, but in letting oneself be driven by the desire for profit (27:1). However, the key to avoiding injustice is given by the author in 27:3: one must be steadfast and diligent in fearing the Lord. Thus, the fear of the Lord is not only the beginning of wisdom but also the fundamental principle of justice.