Chapter 3

1fi., 8.] Ler the wife obey and? be subject to her ‘husband, for ‘the head of a wife is her husband,” and the head of the man that walketh in the 2° P adds: desire of his soul ne Eyey 8ff. and the. adds: for you. ‘a Pied 7, 4ff. *1 P this witness. ™ Prov 5, 3f- % P adds: the right. way of righteousness is Christ; and “the head of Christ is God” the Father, who is above all, who was und is to come, the Creator of all, with His Son our Lord Jesus Christ, to whom be honour, greatness, and majesty and glory.27 Ye women also obey your husbands, and be in subjection with humility and honour and the fear of God; and delight your husbands with good service, that ye may find favour with them, as we said before. For thus saith the wisdom of Solomon, “TE any man have found a brave* woman, she is more prectous than a jewel of great price. She that is such— the heart of her husband trusteth in her; she that is such-—good spoil‘ will not be wanting. She helpeth her husband with good in good, and not with evil in evil (in) her life; who cardeth*® wool and flax, hath wrought with her hands (that which is) good. She is as a ship which tradeth afar; and she gathereth for herself all riches. And she riseth up by night, and giveth food to her household, and their tasks to her handmaidens. She saw a field and bought (it); with the fruit of her hands she planted a® possession. She firmly girded her loins, and put forth her hands to the work. She tasted that labour is good, and her lamp goeth not out all night long. She stretcheth out her hands to what doth profit, and her arm is strong to spin. And she opened’ her hands in mercy * to the needy, and the palm of her hand is stretched out® to the poor. And her husband hath no care about his house, even if he tarrieth long anywhere. All her household are clothed ;'° double cloaks of fine linen and purple she made for her husband, and for herself she made garments. And her husband becometh notable in the gates, when he sitteth in the assembly |! with the 7? P greatness and glory and * P her. honour. ’ P stretched out. elders of the land. Linen parments she made,!? and gave away, and girdles for the Canaanites. And her mouth she opened acording to the law, and set a fence '* for her tongue. With strength and beauty was she clothed, and rejoiced in the latter days. They that enter her house are many: she hath not eaten the bread * of idleness. She openeth her mouth in wisdom, and according to the ordinance of the law; and her almsgiving hath brought up children and_ enriched , and her husband hath praised her. Many daughters have obtained riches,'® and many have done mightily, but thou excellest and hast surpassed them all. Flattery '® is deceitful, and beauty is despised, for a wise woman shall be blessed, and she that feareth the Lord shall be extolled. Give her of the fruit of her lips, and let her husband be praised in the gates,” 7” that ye, O women, may know that a woman who loveth her husband: shall find honour and blessing and compassion with the Lord God. Take heed and understand, O woman, that desirest and '® wishest to be faithful, that thou mayest please the Lord, vaunt not thyself, nor adorn thyself for another man; and clothe not thyself with gorgeous apparel, nor put sandals on thy feet for show, as the harlots do to lead (men) astray: but keep thyself from all evil-doing and adultery, lest by thee other men offend. Obey thy husband rather, and show kindness '® unto him. But if thou desirest to walk about in the assembly and the streets,?° to ensnare the souls of many, then judgment from God shall come upon thee, and thou shalt be as one that hath no hope, as when a wicked man falleth into great aMiction, and bringeth on himself disgrace, and dishonour,?? and sorrow. In like manner a wicked woman bringeth 7? on herself dishonour: and as,a lion that lieth in wait So P; A adds: for her Prov 31, 10ff. husband. '© P omits: desirest and. and rendeth, so she ensnareth fools, even as it is written, saying, “As moths (destroy) a garment, and as decay a tree, So sorrow wasteth the heart of a man.” 7° And furthermore it is said, “It is better to dwell in the wilderness, than that thou shouldest dwell ?* with a quarrelsome and talkative and passionate woman.” 7° And now also I say unto you, O Christian people, look not after nor follow adulterous women. But it is right for faithful women to veil themselves in purity, not seeking to enhance the beauty of their faces with dyes and painting and adornment, which have no profit, on the form which God created. Let them not do thus, but when they walk in the way let them incline their heads, being veiled. And take heed to yourselves, ye faithful women, and speak no (word of) hate to anyone, but above all (not) to your husbands. O ye good and gentle 7" women, worship God with joy and gladness; and ye also, our children and our brethren?’ and kinsmen and beloved, seek after the precious wisdom that adornecth our life,?* and enlighteneth our -hearts, and bringeth us close to God, and winneth for us an entrance into the Kingdom of heaven in life eternal and rest.?°