10 4 uAn excellent wife who can find?
She is far more precious than
vjewels.
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
wseeks 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
xrises while it is yet night
and
yprovides food for her household
and portions for her maidens.
16 She considers a field and buys it;
with the fruit of her hands she plants a vineyard.
17 She
zdresses herself
5 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
aopens her hand to
bthe poor
and reaches out her hands to
bthe needy.
21 She is not afraid of snow for her household,
for all her household are clothed in
cscarlet.
6
22 She makes
dbed coverings for herself;
her clothing is
efine linen and
fpurple.
23 Her husband is known in
gthe gates
when he sits among the elders of the land.
24 She makes
hlinen garments and sells them;
she delivers sashes to the merchant.
25 iStrength 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
jwomen have done
kexcellently,
but you surpass them all.”
30 lCharm 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.
Beautiful!
ReplyDeleteI have a love-hate relationship with this selection. I do think it is wise advice from mum to her son though. I was just involved with bad religion so have bad memories associated with being the 'perfect wife' based on this passage.
ReplyDeleteI do like that she keeps busy and cares deeply for her family. She is also very smart, a business woman, and strong.
Sara I too find myself sometimes discouraged by this seemingly unattainable list!! But then I go back to the words of the mother in verse 10 where she says "an excellent wife who can find?" Even SHE knew that a woman with these attributes were difficult to find. But like a good mother, she made a list of things for her son to look for when searching for a wife. Many of the things on the list I know I will probably never accomplish (that thing about rising while it's still night...not gonna happen unless there's a fire in my bed) LOL but I'm inspired by the fact that many things I do, and do well, are included in this list. Thanks for reading and commenting. I dearly love the feedback as it encourages me to deeper thinking!
DeleteI love the passage. I don't believe it's. meant to discourage us, I think it us an example of what a woman can attain. she is strong, resourceful and loving. And smart.
ReplyDeleteI love the way you worded that Sara! Thank you!
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