Sirach – Chapter 26

Old Testament28 Verses

Chapter Summary

Chapter 26 of Sirach begins: "Happy is the husband of a good wife: for the number of his years is double." Across its 28 verses, two threads run through the text: family and covenant relationships and justice and care for the poor. Read slowly, this chapter rewards the kind of prayerful attention the Church calls lectio divina.

1Happy is the husband of a good wife: for the number of his years is double.

2A virtuous woman rejoiceth her husband, and shall fulfil the years of his life in peace.

3A good wife is a good portion, she shall be given in the portion of them that fear God, to a man for his good deeds.

4Rich or poor, if his heart is good, his countenance shall be cheerful at all times.

5Of three things my heart hath been afraid, and at the fourth my face hath trembled:

6The accusation of a city, and the gathering together of the people:

7And a false calumny, all are more grievous than death.

8A jealous woman is the grief and mourning of the heart.

9With a jealous woman is a scourge of the tongue which communicateth with all.

10As a yoke of oxen that is moved to and fro, so also is a wicked woman: he that hath hold of her, is as he that taketh hold of a scorpion.

11A drunken woman is a great wrath: and her reproach and shame shall not be hid.

12The fornication of a woman shall be known by the haughtiness of her eyes and by her eyelids.

13On a daughter that turneth not away herself, set a strict watch: lest finding an opportunity she abuse herself.

14Take heed of the impudence of her eyes, and wonder not if she slight thee.

15She will open her mouth as a thirsty traveller to the fountain, and will drink of every water near her, and will sit down by every hedge, and open her quiver against every arrow, until she fail.

16The grace of a diligent woman shall delight her husband, and shall fat his bones.

17Her discipline is the gift of God.

18Such is a wise and silent woman, and there is nothing so much worth as a well instructed soul.

19A holy and shamefaced woman is grace upon grace.

20And no price is worthy of a continent soul.

21As the sun when it riseth to the world in the high places of God, so is the beauty of a good wife for the ornament of her house.

22As the lamp shining upon the holy candlestick, so is the beauty of the face in a ripe age,

23As golden pillars upon bases of silver, so are the firm feet upon the soles of a steady woman.

24As everlasting foundations upon a solid rock, so the commandments of God in the heart of a holy woman.

25At two things my heart is grieved, and the third bringeth anger upon me.

26A man of war fainting through poverty, and a man of sense despised:

27And he that passeth over from justice to sin, God hath prepared such an one for the sword.

28Two sorts of callings have appeared to me hard and dangerous: a merchant is hardly free from negligence: and a huckster shall not be justified from the sins of the lips.

Important Verses in Sirach 26

The grace of a diligent woman shall delight her husband, and shall fat his bones.

Sirach 26:16

A holy and shamefaced woman is grace upon grace.

Sirach 26:19

As everlasting foundations upon a solid rock, so the commandments of God in the heart of a holy woman.

Sirach 26:24

And he that passeth over from justice to sin, God hath prepared such an one for the sword.

Sirach 26:27

Historical Context

As a Old Testament book, Sirach was written with students of wisdom seeking to live the Law with practical prudence in view. Chapter 26 of 51 stands in the central portion of the book, where decisive events or teachings take shape. It is a wisdom instruction on how to live before God in ordinary circumstances with 28 verses in the Douay-Rheims translation. The chapter begins: "Happy is the husband of a good wife: for the number of his years is double." The final verse reads: "Two sorts of callings have appeared to me hard and dangerous: a merchant is hardly free from negligence: and a huckster…" In terms of historical background, Sirach (Ecclesiasticus) is the longest wisdom book of the Bible, written by a Jerusalem sage who ran a school for young men. Scholarly and ecclesial tradition places the composition of Sirach around About 180 BC in Hebrew; Greek translation about 132 BC.

Who Wrote It

Jesus ben Sira of Jerusalem; translated into Greek by his grandson

When It Was Written

About 180 BC in Hebrew; Greek translation about 132 BC

Catholic Commentary

This chapter offers practical instruction on how to live wisely before God in daily life. A pivotal line is verse 16: "The grace of a diligent woman shall delight her husband, and shall fat his bones." The passage repeatedly touches on family and covenant relationships.

Catholic exegesis reads Sirach 26 within the unity of Scripture and Tradition. this deuterocanonical book provides guidance for daily life (CIC 1806). St. Irenaeus and other Fathers of the Church saw in texts like this a preparation for or reflection of Christ, the center of revelation (CIC 113).

Applied to the life of faith, the passage supports the Church's conviction that All wisdom comes from the Lord. Whether read privately or heard in the liturgy, Sirach 26 calls for a response of faith, repentance, and charity.

Main Teachings

  • The family is the first school of faith, where love, obedience, and forgiveness are learned.
  • God defends the poor and the oppressed, and calls His people to act with justice.
  • Sin has real consequences, but God's judgment always aims at conversion and restoration.

Reflection for Today

Catholic exegesis approaches Sirach Chapter 26 with reverence, seeking both the literal sense and the spiritual meaning ordered to Christ.

Catholic theology recognizes that practical wisdom and fear of the Lord is not an abstract idea but a reality encountered in prayer, sacraments, and charity. This chapter contributes to that vision by stressing forgiveness and reconciliation.

Consider praying with this chapter again at day's end, offering God gratitude for one insight received. The Church encourages daily contact with Scripture (CIC 436) so that Christ's mind may be formed in us.

💡Catholic Reflection • Church Teachings

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Sirach Chapter 26 about?

Sirach 26 contains 28 verses. It opens with "Happy is the husband of a good wife: for the number of his years is double." and closes with "Two sorts of callings have appeared to me hard and dangerous: a merchant is hardly free from negligence: and a huckster…". The book as a whole is wisdom instruction (deuterocanonical).

What is a key verse in Sirach 26?

One of the most significant verses is verse 16: "The grace of a diligent woman shall delight her husband, and shall fat his bones." It is often cited in Catholic teaching and preaching.

Who wrote Sirach and when?

Jesus ben Sira of Jerusalem; translated into Greek by his grandson. About 180 BC in Hebrew; Greek translation about 132 BC.

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