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15 Drink water from your own cistern,
    gushing water from your own well.
16 Should your fountains flood outside,
    streams of water in the public squares?
17 They are yours alone,
    not for you as well as strangers.
18     May your spring be blessed.
Rejoice in the wife of your youth.
19     She is a lovely deer, a graceful doe.
Let her breasts intoxicate you all the time;
    always be drunk on her love.

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16 A gracious woman gains honor;
    violent men gain only wealth.

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22 Like a gold ring in a pig’s nose
    is a beautiful woman who lacks discretion.

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A strong woman is a crown to her husband,
    but a disgraceful woman is like rot in his bones.

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14 A wise woman builds her house,
    while a foolish woman tears hers down with her own hands.

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22 He who finds a wife finds what is good,
    gaining favor from the Lord.

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Better to live on the edge of a roof
    than with a contentious woman in a large house.

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19 Better to live in a wilderness
    than in a house with a contentious and angry woman.

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24 Better to live on the edge of a roof
    than to share a house with a contentious woman.

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15 The constant dripping on a rainy day
    and a contentious woman are alike;
16         anyone who can control her
        can control the wind
        or pick up oil in his hand.

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18 Three things are too wonderful for me,
    four that I can’t figure out:
19         the way of an eagle in the sky,
        the way of a snake on the rock,
        the way of a ship out on the open sea,
        and the way of a man with a young woman.

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The competent wife

10 A competent wife, how does one find her?
    Her value is far above pearls.
11 Her husband entrusts his heart to her,
    and with her he will have all he needs.
12 She brings him good and not trouble
    all the days of her life.
13 She seeks out wool and flax;
    she works joyfully with her hands.
14 She is like a fleet of merchant ships,
    bringing food from a distance.
15 She gets up while it is still night,
    providing food for her household,
    even some for her female servants.
16 She surveys a field and acquires it;
    from her own resources, she plants a vineyard.
17 She works energetically;
    her arms are powerful.
18 She realizes that her trading is successful;
    she doesn’t put out her lamp at night.
19 She puts her hands to the spindle;
    her palms grasp the whorl.
20 She reaches out to the needy;
    she stretches out her hands to the poor.
21 She doesn’t fear for her household when it snows,
    because they are all dressed in warm[a] clothes.
22 She makes bedspreads for herself;
    fine linen and purple are her clothing.
23 Her husband is known in the city gates
    when he sits with the elders of the land.
24 She makes garments and sells them;
    she supplies sashes to traders.
25 Strength and honor are her clothing;
    she is confident about the future.
26 Her mouth is full of wisdom;
    kindly teaching is on her tongue.
27 She is vigilant over the activities of her household;
    she doesn’t eat the food of laziness.
28 Her children bless her;
    her husband praises her:
29     “Many women act competently,
    but you surpass them all!”
30 Charm is deceptive and beauty fleeting,
    but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.
31 Let her share in the results of her work;
    let her deeds praise her in the city gates.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 31:21 LXX; MT red

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