The Blessing of a Good Wife

13 A wife’s charm delights her husband,

and her skill puts flesh on his bones.

14 A silent wife is a gift from the Lord,

and nothing is so precious as her self-discipline.

15 A modest wife adds charm to charm,

and no scales can weigh the value of her chastity.

16 Like the sun rising in the heights of the Lord,

so is the beauty of a good wife in her well-ordered home.

17 Like the shining lamp on the holy lampstand,

so is a beautiful face on a stately figure.

18 Like golden pillars on silver bases,

so are shapely legs and steadfast feet.

Other ancient authorities add verses 19–27:

19 My child, keep sound the bloom of your youth,

and do not give your strength to strangers.

20 Seek a fertile field within the whole plain,

and sow it with your own seed, trusting in your fine stock.

21 So your offspring will prosper,

and, having confidence in their good descent, will grow great.

22 A prostitute is regarded as spittle,

and a married woman as a tower of death to her lovers.

23 A godless wife is given as a portion to a lawless man,

but a pious wife is given to the man who fears the Lord.

24 A shameless woman constantly acts disgracefully,

but a modest daughter will even be embarrassed before her husband.

25 A headstrong wife is regarded as a dog,

but one who has a sense of shame will fear the Lord.

26 A wife honoring her husband will seem wise to all,

but if she dishonors him in her pride she will be known to all as ungodly.

Happy is the husband of a good wife;

for the number of his years will be doubled.

27 A loud-voiced and garrulous wife is like a trumpet sounding the charge,

and every person like this lives in the anarchy of war.