My soul takes pleasure in three things,
and they are beautiful in the sight of the Lord and of people:
agreement between brothers,
friendship between neighbors,
and a wife and husband who accommodate each other.
Sirach 25:1 from the just-translated ESV-CE. (English Standard Version–Catholic Edition)
The final phrase has been translated “who live in harmony” (RSV-CE) or “living happily together” (NAB) or “well matched” (Knox).
I find this new translation particularly helpful because it tosses the ball directly into both his and her hands. “Well matched” might involve luck; “happily together” sort of floats along over the top of daily life; and to “live in harmony” does not specify how the harmony comes about.
Harmony comes about if and when we learn to “accommodate” each other. That is, when we come to love our spouseĀ in a way that is genuine give-and-take, every day, in every area of a shared life. That takes communication, patience, trial-and-error, practice, questioning oneself, asking our Lord for insight, etc. Accommodating each other can only be built over time. It will be “beautiful in the sight of the Lord and people.” And the accommodating couple will take pleasure in it themselves.