10 A wife of noble character
who can find?
She is worth far more than rubies.
11 Her husband has
full confidence in her
and lacks nothing of value.
12 She brings him
good, not harm,
all the days of her life.
13 She selects wool
and flax
and works with eager hands.
14 She is like the
merchant ships,
bringing her food from afar.
15 She gets up while
it is still dark;
she provides food for her family
and portions for her servant girls.
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.
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 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.
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 Give her the reward
she has earned,
and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.
