~ A Good
Wife ~
- Happy is the man that hath a virtuous wife: for the number of his years shall be double. An honest woman maketh her husband a joyful man, and she shall fill the years of his life in peace. A virtuous woman is a noble gift, which shall be given for a good portion unto such as fear God: Whether a man be rich or poor, he may have ever a merry heart, & a cheerful countenance.
- There be three things that mine heart fears; 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. But a grief of heart and sorrow is a woman that is jealous over another woman, and a woman that tells out all things, is a scourge of the tongue. An evil wife is a yoke shaken to and fro: he that hath hold of her is as though he held a scorpion.
- A drunken woman is a great plague: for she can not cover her own shame. The whoredom of a woman may be known in the pride of her eyes and eye lids.
If thy
daughter be shameless, keep her in straightly, lest she abuse her self
through over much liberty. Beware of all the dishonesty of her eyes,
& marvel not if she trespass against you. As a way faring man that is thirsty,
when he hath found a well drinks of every water: so will she sit down by every
hedge, and make her self common to every man that passes by. (Another translation reads;
She will sit down before every tent peg And open her quiver to any arrow. {So sadly true this is.}
~A Blessed Wife~
- The grace of a wife delights her husband, and her wisdom will fatten his bones. A silent and loving woman is a gift of the Lord; and there is nothing so much worth as a mind well instructed. (another translation reads: A woman of few words is a gift of God: to all nurtured minds may nothing be compared.) An honest and mannerly woman is a gift above other gifts: and there is no scale adequate to weigh a self-controlled soul.
~ Evil vs. Good ~
- An harlot shall be accounted as spittle; but a married woman is a tower against death to her husband. A wicked woman is given as a portion to a wicked man: but a godly woman is given to him that fears the Lord. A dishonest woman contemns shame: {She doesn't discern the blessedness of having a sense of shame; she scorns the idea of feeling shame} but an honest woman will reverence her husband. A shameless woman shall be counted as a dog; but she that is shamefaced will fear the Lord. A woman that honors her husband shall be judged wise of all; but she that dishonors him in her pride shall be counted ungodly of all.
