Proverbs 31:8-31

31:8 Open your mouth on behalf of those unable to speak,

for the legal rights of all the dying.

31:9 Open your mouth, judge in righteousness,

and plead the cause of the poor and needy.

The Wife of Noble Character

31:10 Who can find a wife of noble character?

For her value is far more than rubies.

31:11 The heart of her husband has confidence in her,

and he has no lack of gain.

31:12 She brings him good and not evil

all the days of her life.

31:13 She obtains wool and flax,

and she is pleased to work with her hands.

31:14 She is like the merchant ships;

she brings her food from afar.

31:15 She also gets up while it is still night,

and provides food for her household and a portion to her female servants.

31:16 She considers a field and buys it;

from her own income she plants a vineyard.

31:17 She begins her work vigorously,

and she strengthens her arms.

31:18 She knows that her merchandise is good,

and her lamp does not go out in the night.

31:19 Her hands take hold of the distaff,

and her hands grasp the spindle.

31:20 She extends her hand to the poor,

and reaches out her hand to the needy.

31:21 She is not afraid of the snow for her household,

for all of her household are clothed with scarlet.

31:22 She makes for herself coverlets;

her clothing is fine linen and purple.

31:23 Her husband is well-known in the city gate

when he sits with the elders of the land.

31:24 She makes linen garments and sells them,

and supplies the merchants with sashes.

31:25 She is clothed with strength and honor,

and she can laugh at the time to come.

31:26 She opens her mouth with wisdom,

and loving instruction is on her tongue.

31:27 She watches over the ways of her household,

and does not eat the bread of idleness.

31:28 Her children rise up and call her blessed,

her husband also praises her:

31:29 “Many daughters have done valiantly,

but you surpass them all!”

31:30 Charm is deceitful and beauty is fleeting,

but a woman who fears the Lord will be praised.

31:31 Give her credit for what she has accomplished,

and let her works praise her in the city gates.