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10 [a]Who can find a worthy woman?
    For her price is far above rubies.
11 The heart of her husband trusts in her.
    He shall have no lack of gain.
12 She does him good, and not harm,
    all the days of her life.
13 She seeks wool and flax,
    and works eagerly with her hands.
14 She is like the merchant ships.
    She brings her bread from afar.
15 She rises also while it is yet night,
    gives food to her household,
    and portions for her servant girls.
16 She considers a field, and buys it.
    With the fruit of her hands, she plants a vineyard.
17 She arms her waist with strength,
    and makes her arms strong.
18 She perceives that her merchandise is profitable.
    Her lamp doesn’t go out by night.
19 She lays her hands to the distaff,
    and her hands hold the spindle.
20 She opens her arms to the poor;
    yes, she extends her hands to the needy.
21 She is not afraid of the snow for her household;
    for all her household are clothed with scarlet.
22 She makes for herself carpets of tapestry.
    Her clothing is fine linen and purple.
23 Her husband is respected in the gates,
    when he sits among the elders of the land.
24 She makes linen garments and sells them,
    and delivers sashes to the merchant.
25 Strength and dignity are her clothing.
    She laughs at the time to come.
26 She opens her mouth with wisdom.
    Kind instruction is on her tongue.
27 She looks well to the ways of her household,
    and doesn’t eat the bread of idleness.
28 Her children rise up and call her blessed.
    Her husband also praises her:
29 “Many women do noble things,
    but you excel them all.”
30 Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain;
    but a woman who fears Yahweh, she shall be praised.
31 Give her of the fruit of her hands!
    Let her works praise her in the gates!

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Footnotes

  1. 31:10 Proverbs 31:10-31 form an acrostic, with each verse starting with each letter of the Hebrew alphabet, in order.

Epilogue: The Virtuous Wife

10 Who can find a virtuous woman?
    For her worth is far above rubies.
11 The heart of her husband safely trusts in her,
    so that he will have no lack of gain.
12 She will do him good and not evil
    all the days of her life.
13 She seeks wool and flax,
    and works willingly with her hands.
14 She is like the merchant ships,
    she brings her food from afar.
15 She also rises while it is yet night,
    and gives food to her household,
    and a portion to her maidens.
16 She considers a field and buys it;
    with the fruit of her hands she plants a vineyard.
17 She clothes herself with strength,
    and strengthens her arms.
18 She perceives that her merchandise is good;
    her candle does not go out by night.
19 She lays her hands to the spindle,
    and her hands hold the distaff.
20 She stretches out her hand to the poor;
    yes, she reaches forth her hands to the needy.
21 She is not afraid of the snow for her household,
    for all her household are clothed with scarlet.
22 She makes herself coverings of tapestry;
    her clothing is silk and purple.
23 Her husband is known in the gates,
    when he sits among the elders of the land.
24 She makes fine linen and sells it,
    and delivers sashes to the merchant.
25 Strength and honor are her clothing,
    and she will rejoice in time to come.
26 She opens her mouth with wisdom,
    and in her tongue is the teaching of kindness.
27 She looks well to the ways of her household,
    and does not eat the bread of idleness.
28 Her children rise up and call her blessed;
    her husband also, and he praises her:
29 “Many daughters have done virtuously,
    but you excel them all.”
30 Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain,
    but a woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised.
31 Give her of the fruit of her hands,
    and let her own works praise her in the gates.

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Epilogue: The Wife of Noble Character

10 [a]A wife of noble character(A) who can find?(B)
    She is worth far more than rubies.
11 Her husband(C) has full confidence in her
    and lacks nothing of value.(D)
12 She brings him good, not harm,
    all the days of her life.
13 She selects wool and flax
    and works with eager hands.(E)
14 She is like the merchant ships,
    bringing her food from afar.
15 She gets up while it is still night;
    she provides food for her family
    and portions for her female servants.
16 She considers a field and buys it;
    out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.
17 She sets about her work vigorously;
    her arms are strong for her tasks.
18 She sees that her trading is profitable,
    and her lamp does not go out at night.
19 In her hand she holds the distaff
    and grasps the spindle with her fingers.
20 She opens her arms to the poor
    and extends her hands to the needy.(F)
21 When it snows, she has no fear for her household;
    for all of them are clothed in scarlet.
22 She makes coverings for her bed;
    she is clothed in fine linen and purple.
23 Her husband is respected at the city gate,
    where he takes his seat among the elders(G) of the land.
24 She makes linen garments and sells them,
    and supplies the merchants with sashes.
25 She is clothed with strength and dignity;
    she can laugh at the days to come.
26 She speaks with wisdom,
    and faithful instruction is on her tongue.(H)
27 She watches over the affairs of her household
    and does not eat the bread of idleness.
28 Her children arise and call her blessed;
    her husband also, and he praises her:
29 “Many women do noble things,
    but you surpass them all.”
30 Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;
    but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.
31 Honor her for all that her hands have done,
    and let her works bring her praise(I) at the city gate.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 31:10 Verses 10-31 are an acrostic poem, the verses of which begin with the successive letters of the Hebrew alphabet.