Sirach 26:1-4, 13-16
Chapter 26
1
The Good Woman
Happy is the husband of a good wife; his days will be doubled.2
A woman of character is her husband’s joy; he will live in peace all his years of his life.
3
A good wife is the greatest gift, reserved for those who fear the Lord;
4
whether rich or poor, he will have a peaceful heart and a happy face.
13
The Good Woman
A wife’s grace brings joy to her husband, and her prudence refreshes his spirit.
14
A wife who knows how to be silent is a gift from the Lord; a well-trained wife is invaluable.
15
A modest wife is a blessing among blessings; a chaste wife is priceless.
16
Like the sunrise over the mountains of the Lord, so is the enchantment of a good wife in a well-kept home.
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.