Who can find a noble wife? She is worth far more than rubies.
Her husband trusts her completely. She will prove a great asset to him.
She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life.
She selects wool and flax and works with eager hands.
She is like the merchant ships bringing her food from afar.
It is still dark when she rises to give food to her family and orders to her female servants.
She considers a field and buys it and from her earnings she plants a vineyard.
She sets about her tasks vigorously; her arms are strong for her tasks.
She sees that her trading is profitable and her lamp does not go out at night.
With one hand she holds the wool; with the other she spins the thread.
She opens her arms to the poor and extends her hands to the needy.
When it snows she has no fear for her household; all of them are doubly clothed.
She makes her own quilts; she is clothed in fine linen and purple.
Her husband is known at the city gates where he sits among the elders of the land.
She makes linen garments and sells them, and supplies the merchants with sashes.
Clothed with strength and dignity, she can laugh at the days to come.
She speaks with wisdom; on her tongue is loving instruction.
She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness.
Her children arise; they make her happy; her husband too, as he praises her:
"Many women have done wonderful things, but you surpass them all."
Proverbs 31:30 Charm is deceitful and beauty is fleeting but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised. (NIV)
Honor her for all that her hands have done, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.
Proverbs 31:10-31 is an acrostic poem - each verse beginning with the successive letter of the Hebrew alphabet. Acrostics are often used so that something can be easily memorized. Commentary on this passage discusses the idea that the Proverbs 31 Woman is the personification of wisdom and that these are the qualities that all who seek after wisdom should embrace.
The virtues of wisdom brought out in this passage are trustworthiness, faithfulness, dependability, industriousness, hard-work, productiveness, preparedness, generosity, kindness, studiousness, dignity, watchfulness, and protectiveness. People with these qualities rise to the top and are honored and respected.
We can all learn wisdom and grow in wisdom and be the Proverbs 31 expression of wisdom. It begins with the fear of the LORD. As we seek with our whole heart after Him we become like Him. It is a process. The Word of God is our guide.
Dear Father,
Thank you for the Proverbs. Thank you for sharing your wisdom with us. May we become like you.
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