Vision
THE
VIRTUOUS WOMAN
HER VALUE IS FAR ABOVE RUBIES
A
capable, intelligent and virtuous woman - who is he
who can find her?
She is far more precious
than jewels and her value is far above rubies
or pearls.
The heart of her husband
trusts in her confidently and relies on and
believes in her securely, so that he has no lack
of [honest] gain or need of [dishonest] spoil.
She comforts, encourages,
and does him only good as long as there is
life within her.
She seeks out wool
and flax and works with willing hands [to
develop it].
She is like the merchant
ships loaded with foodstuffs; she brings
her household's food from a far [country].
She rises while it
is still night and gets [spiritual] food
for her household and assign her maids their tasks.
She considers a [new]
field before she buys or accepts it [expanding
prudently and not courting neglect of her
present duties by assuming other duties]; with
her savings [of time and strength] she plants fruitful
vines in her vineyard.
She girds herself with
strength [spiritual, mental and physical
fitness for her God-given task] and makes her arms
strong and firm.
She tastes and sees
that her gain from work [with and for God]
is good; her lamp goes not out, but it burns on
continually through the night [of trouble, privation,
or sorrow, warning away fear, doubt, and distrust].
She lays her hands
to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff.
She opens her hand to the poor, yes, she
reaches out her filled hands to the needy [whether
in body, mind or spirit].
She fears not the snow
for her family, for all her household are
doubly clothed in scarlet.
She makes for herself
coverlets, cushions and rugs of tapestry. her clothing
is of linen, pure and fine, and of purple [such
as that of which the clothing of the priests and
the hallowed cloths of the temple were made].
Her husband is known
in the [city's] gates, when he sits among
the elders of the land.
She makes fine linen
garments and leads others to buy them; she
delivers to the merchants girdles [or sashes that
free one up for service].
Strength and dignity
are her clothing and her position is strong
and secure; she rejoices over the future [the latter
day or time to come, knowing that she and
her family are in readiness for it]! She opens
her mouth in skilful and godly Wisdom, and on her
tongue is the law of kindness [giving counsel and
instruction]. She looks well to how things go in
her household, and the bread of idleness [gossip,
discontent, and self-pity] she will not eat.
Her children rise
up and call her blessed [happy, fortunate
and to be envied]; and her husband boasts of her
and praises her, [saying], Many daughters have
done virtuously, nobly and well [with the strength
of character that is steadfast in goodness], but
you excel them all.
Charm and grace are
deceptive, and beauty is vain [because it
is not lasting], but a woman who reverently and
worshipfully fears the Lord, she shall be praised!
Give her of the fruits
of her hands, and let her own works praise
her in the gates [of the city]!
Proverbs 31 v.10-31 Amplified Bible
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