Good And Hateful Wives.htm

GOOD AND HATEFUL WIVES.
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"Any wound but a wound in the heart!
Any spite but a woman's!
Any disaster but one caused by hate!
Any vengeance but the vengeance of an enemy!
There is no venom worse than a snake's,
and no anger worse than an enemy's.
I would sooner share a home with a lion or a snake
than keep house with a spiteful wife.
Her spite changes her expression,
making her look as surly as a bear.
Her husband goes to a neighbour for his meals
and cannot repress a bitter sigh.

There is nothing so bad as a bad wife;
may the fate of the wicked overtake her!
It is as easy for an old man to climb a sand-dune
as for a quiet husband to live with a nagging wife.
Do not be enticed by a woman's beauty
or set your heart on possessing her.
If a man is supported by his wife
he must expect tantrums, shamelessness, and outrage.
A bad wife brings humiliation,
downcast looks, and a wounded heart.
Slack of hand and weak of knee
is the man whose wife fails to make him happy.
Woman is the origin of sin,
and it is through her that we all die.
Do not leave a leaky cistern to drip
or allow a bad wife to say what she likes.
If she does not accept your control,
...send her away.

A good wife makes a happy husband;
she doubles the length of his life.
A staunch wife is her husband's joy;
he will live out his days in peace.
A good wife means a good life;
she is one of the Lord's gifts to those who fear Him."

(From Ecclesiasticus 25:13 to 26:3 NEB).

COMMENT.

In the majority of marriages today, it is almost impossible for a wife to truly complement her husband. Especially so, if her husband's conduct is consistently bad. Yet the apostle Peter said some "may be won (to God) without a word through the conduct of their wives, because of having been eyewitnesses of your chaste conduct together with deep respect." (From 1 Peter 3:1,2).

Paul, The Christ's apostle to the nations, made it clear that if there are irreconcilable differences between a Christian and their unbelieving spouse, they are under no compulsion, and may separate: "If on the other hand the heathen partner wishes for a separation, let him have it. In such cases the Christian husband or wife is under no compulsion; but God's call is a call to live in peace. Think of it: as a wife you may be your husband's salvation; as a husband you may be your wife's salvation." (1 Cor 7:15,16 NEB).

He also explained that because the first man Adam was not deceived by satan, but Eve was and fell into sin, as a future safeguard a woman must not "domineer over a man". (From 1 Tim 2:12-14 NEB).

10/12/02.