1Blessed is the man that hath a virtuous wife, for the number of his days shall be double.2A virtuous woman rejoiceth her husband, and he shall fulfil the years of his life in peace.3A good wife is a good portion, which shall be given in the portion of them that fear the Lord.4Whether a man be rich or poor, if he have a good heart toward the Lord, he shall at all times rejoice with a cheerful countenance.5There be three things that mine heart feareth; and for the fourth I was sore afraid: the slander of a city, the gathering together of an unruly multitude, and a false accusation: all these are worse than death.6But a grief of heart and sorrow is a woman that is jealous over another woman, and a scourge of the tongue which communicateth with all.7An evil wife is a yoke shaken to and fro: he that hath hold of her is as though he held a scorpion.8A drunken woman and a gadder abroad causeth great anger, and she will not cover her own shame.9The whoredom of a woman may be known in her haughty looks and eyelids.10If thy daughter be shameless, keep her in straitly, lest she abuse herself through overmuch liberty.11Watch over an impudent eye: and marvel not if she trespass against thee.12She will open her mouth, as a thirsty traveller when he hath found a fountain, and drink of every water near her: by every hedge will she sit down, and open her quiver against every arrow.13The grace of a wife delighteth her husband, and her discretion will fatten his bones.14A silent and loving woman is a gift of the Lord; and there is nothing so much worth as a mind well instructed.15A shamefaced and faithful woman is a double grace, and her continent mind cannot be valued.16As the sun when it ariseth in the high heaven; so is the beauty of a good wife in the ordering of her house.17As the clear light is upon the holy candlestick: so is the beauty of the face in ripe age.18As the golden pillars are upon the sockets of silver; so are the fair feet with a constant heart.19There be two things that grieve my heart; and the third maketh me angry: a man of war that suffereth poverty; and men of understanding that are not set by: and one that returneth from righteousness to sin; the Lord prepareth such an one for the sword.20A merchant shall hardly keep himself from doing wrong; and an huckster shall not be freed from sin.
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