Ben Sira 26:11-18

11 If she is too self-willed, be on guard, and don't be surprised if she disappoints you.

12 She'll spread her legs anywhere for any man who wants her, just as a thirsty traveler will drink whatever water is available.

13 A gracious wife is her husband's delight; her abilities make him a stronger man.

14 A wife who doesn't talk too much is a gift from the Lord. Such restraint is admirable beyond words.

15 A modest wife has endless charm; it is a quality too precious to measure.

16 The beauty of a good wife in her well-kept home is like the noonday sun shining in the Lord's sky.

17 Her beautiful face and attractive figure are as lovely as the light from the sacred lampstand in the Temple,

18 and like its gold shaft set on its silver base are her shapely legs and strong ankles. ,

Footnotes 4

[a]. her abilities . . . man; [or] she knows how to keep him well-fed.
[b]. and attractive figure are; [or] as she grows older is.
[c]. strong ankles; [some manuscripts have] firm breasts [or] determined heart.
[d]. [Some manuscripts add verses 19-27:] My child, stay healthy while you are young, and don't give your strength to strangers. +V20+WSearch the whole land for a fertile field, and plant it with your own seed, trusting your own good stock. +V21+WThen your children will survive and grow up confident of their good family. +V22+WA prostitute is like spit; a married woman who has affairs brings death to her lovers. +V23+WA lawless man will get a godless wife, as he deserves, but a man who honors the Lord will have a devout wife. +V24+WA shameless wife enjoys making a disgrace of herself, but a modest wife will act modestly even alone with her husband. +V25+WA self-willed woman is a bitch, but a woman with a sense of decency honors the Lord. +V26+WA wife who honors her husband will seem wise to everyone; but if she dishonors him by her overbearing attitude, everyone will know that she is ungodly. Fortunate is the husband of a good wife, because he will live twice as long. +V27+WA loud-mouthed, talkative woman is like a trumpet sounding the signal for attack, and any man who has such a wife will spend his life at war.