1
Happy is the husband of a good wife. The number of his days will be doubled.
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ExplanationCommentary
Verse 1. Double. Uneasiness deprives a person of much comfort. Worthington.
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OLD TESTAMENT
All chapters Sirach 26
The Holy Bible · EnglishOpen an explanation beneath verses with notes. Your notes and highlights stay on this device.
2
A faithful wife gives joy to her husband. He will fulfill his years in peace.
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3
A good wife is a great gift. She will be given to those who fear the Lord.
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ExplanationCommentary
Verse 3. To a, and so forth is not in Greek Bible.
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4
Whether a man is rich or poor, a good heart makes a cheerful face at all times.
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5
Of three things my heart was afraid, and concerning the fourth kind I made supplication: The slander of a city, the assembly of a mob, and a false accusation. All these are more grievous than death.
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ExplanationCommentary
Verse 5. Fourth. A jealous wife. verse 8.
Greek countenance.
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6
A grief of heart and sorrow is a woman who is jealous of another woman. Her tongue-lashing makes it known to all.
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ExplanationCommentary
Verse 6. City. When all are charge with a crime, or when all rise up against a man. Calmet.
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7
A wicked woman is like a chafing yoke. He who takes hold of her is like one who grasps a scorpion.
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8
A drunken woman causes great wrath. She will not cover her own shame.
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ExplanationCommentary
Verse 8. Woman. Greek adds, “against another woman.”
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9
The fornication of a woman is in the lifting up of her eyes; it will be known by her eyelids.
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ExplanationCommentary
Verse 9. With. Greek “and the scourge of the tongue, which,” and so forth Bible.—Back-biting occasions the four evils aforesaid. Grot.
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10
Keep strict watch on a headstrong daughter, lest she find liberty for herself, and use it.
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ExplanationCommentary
Verse 10. Woman. When oxen move, the yoke moves also: Thus heresy will suffer none to rest. Worthington.—The yoke ought to fit the neck, and not be fastened to the horns. Colum. ii. 2.
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11
Watch out for an impudent eye, and don’t be surprised if it sins against you.
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ExplanationCommentary
Verse 11. Hid. She will be given to debauchery. Saint John Chrysostom Calmet.—Romulus ordered wives to be slain, like adulteresses, who had drunk wine at home. V. Max. vi. 3.
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12
She will open her mouth like a thirsty traveller, and drink from every water that is near. She will sit down at every post, and open her quiver to any arrow.
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ExplanationCommentary
Verse 12. Eye-lids. Shewing her impudence. 2 Peter 2:14. Isaiah 3:16.
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13
The grace of a wife will delight her husband. Her knowledge will strengthen his bones.
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ExplanationCommentary
Verse 13. Herself. From gazing at men. Calmet.—Love manifests itself by the eyes. Propert.
or, fatten
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14
A silent woman is a gift of the Lord. There is nothing worth so much as a well-instructed soul.
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15
A modest woman is grace upon grace. There are no scales that can weigh the value of a self-controlled soul.
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ExplanationCommentary
Verse 15. Hedge. Or “stake,” palum, ( Bible.) on which tents are fixed. Genesis 38:14. Calmet.—Fail. Incontinence will at last ruin her health. Bible.
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16
As the sun when it arises in the highest places of the Lord, so is the beauty of a good wife in her well-organized home.
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ExplanationCommentary
Verse 16. Bones. The Catholic faith is the ground of all virtues. Worthington.
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17
As the lamp that shines upon the holy lampstand, so is the beauty of the face on a well-proportioned body.
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18
As the golden pillars are upon a base of silver, so are beautiful feet with the breasts of one who is steadfast.
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ExplanationCommentary
Verse 18. Worth. Lit. “exchange.” Greek ( Bible.) such a wife is above all price. Menochius.
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28
For two things my heart is grieved, and for the third anger comes upon me: a warrior who suffers for poverty, men of understanding who are counted as garbage, and one who turns back from righteousness to sin— the Lord will prepare him for the sword!
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ExplanationCommentary
Verse 28. Two. Greek “scarcely is a merchant exempt from negligence, and the seller of wine, and eatables, (Grot.) or retailer (Voss. καπηλος) shall not be justified from sin.” Bible.—Negligence. That is, from the neglect of the service of God: because the eager pursuit of the mammon of this world, is apt to make men of that calling forget the great duties of loving God above all things, and their neighbours as themselves.—A huckster. Or a retailer of wine. Men of that profession are both greatly exposed to danger of sin themselves, and are too often accessary to the sins of others. Challoner.—Lips. Innkeepers talk too much to please, and thus fall into danger. Proverbs 10:19. Worthington.—They are also exposed to lying, ( Menochius.) and to adulterate their merchandise. Calmet.
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29
It is difficult for a merchant to keep himself from wrong doing, and for a retailer to be acquitted of sin.
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