10
A good wife who can find? She is far more precious than jewels.
11 The heart of her husband trusts
in her, and he will 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 with willing hands. 14 She
is like the ships of the merchant, she brings her food from afar.
15 She rises while it is yet night
and provides food for her household and tasks for her maidens.
16 She considers a field and buys
it; with the fruit of her hands she plants a vineyard.
17 She girds her loins with
strength and makes her arms strong. 18
She perceives that her merchandise is profitable. Her lamp does not go
out at night. 19 She puts her
hands to the distaff, and her hands hold the spindle.
20 She opens her hand to the poor,
and reaches out her hands to the needy. 21
She is not afraid of snow for her household, for all her household are
clothed in scarlet. 22 She makes
herself coverings; her clothing is fine linen and purple.
23 Her husband is known in the
gates, when he sits among the elders of the land.
24 She makes linen garments and sells them; she
delivers girdles to the merchant. 25
Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she laughs at the time to
come. 26 She opens her mouth with
wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.
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 women have done excellently, but you surpass
them all." 30 Charm is deceitful,
and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.
31 Give her of the fruit of her
hands, and let her works praise her in the gates.