The Virtues of a Noble Woman
10 A wife31:10 Verses 10–31 are an acrostic poem, each verse beginning with the successive letters of the Hebrew alphabet. of noble character, who can find?
She is far more precious than rubies.
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 rises while it is still night
to provide food for her household
and portions for her maidservants.
16 She appraises a field and buys it;
from her earnings she plants a vineyard.
17 She girds herself31:17 Hebrew She girds her loins with strength
and shows that her arms are strong.
18 She sees that her gain is good,
and her lamp is not extinguished at night.
20 She opens her arms to the poor
and reaches out her hands to the needy.
24 She makes linen garments and sells them;
she delivers sashes to the merchants.