Proverbs 31:10–31

A Courageous Woman, More Precious Than Costly Stones

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Proverbs is read here in the order of the Greek text: chapters 1–24:22, then 30:1–14, 24:23–34, 30:15–33, 31:1–9, chapters 25–29, and 31:10–31.

31:10A courageous woman—who will find her?
Such a woman is more precious than costly stones.

31:11Her husband’s heart is confident in her;
such a woman will not lack fine spoils.

31:12For she works good things for her husband throughout her life.

31:13Spinning wool and flax, she made useful work with her hands.

31:14She became like a ship trading from afar,
and she gathers her livelihood.

31:15And she rises in the night
and gave food to the household
and tasks to the maidservants.

31:16After inspecting a farm she bought it,
and from the fruits of her hands she planted an estate.

31:17Having girded her waist strongly,
she braced her arms for work.

31:18She tasted that working is good,
and her lamp is not extinguished throughout the night.

31:19She stretches her forearms toward profitable things,
and braces her hands on a spindle.

31:20She opened her hands to a needy person
and stretched out her wrist to a poor person.

31:21Her husband is not anxious about those at home when he stays away somewhere,
for all those with her are clothed.

31:22She made double cloaks for her husband,
and garments of fine linen and purple for herself.

31:23Her husband becomes distinguished in the gates
when he sits in council with the elder inhabitants of the land.

31:24She made linen cloths and sold them,
and girdles for the Canaanites.

31:25She opened her mouth attentively and lawfully
and prescribed order for her tongue.

31:26She clothed herself in strength and dignity
and rejoiced in the last days.

31:27The occupations of her houses are secure,
and she did not eat idle food.

31:28She opens her mouth wisely and according to law,
and her mercy raised up her children, and they became wealthy,
and her husband praised her:

31:29‘Many daughters acquired wealth,
many did mighty things,
but you stand above and have surpassed them all.’

31:30A woman’s pleasing qualities are false and beauty is vain;
for an understanding woman is blessed,
and let her praise the fear of the Lord.

31:31Give her from the fruits of her hands,
and let her husband be praised in the gates.

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Saints Translation · Liturgical reading edition · V1 · working draft awaiting specialist review.