Proverbs 31:10–27

A Poem in Hebrew Alphabetical Order

¹⁰“Who can find a wife with a strong character? 

She is worth far more than jewels. 

¹¹Her husband trusts her with ⸤all⸥ his heart, 

and he does not lack anything good. 

¹²She helps him and never harms him all the days of her life. 

¹³“She seeks out wool and linen ⸤with care⸥ 

and works with willing hands. 

¹⁴She is like merchant ships. 

She brings her food from far away. 

¹⁵She wakes up while it is still dark 

and gives food to her family 

and portions of food to her female slaves. 

¹⁶“She picks out a field and buys it. 

She plants a vineyard from the profits she has earned. 

¹⁷She puts on strength like a belt 

and goes to work with energy. 

¹⁸She sees that she is making a good profit. 

Her lamp burns late at night. 

¹⁹“She puts her hands on the distaff, 

and her fingers hold a spindle. 

²⁰She opens her hands to oppressed people 

and stretches them out to needy people. 

²¹She does not fear for her family when it snows 

because her whole family 

has a double layer of clothing. 

²²She makes quilts for herself. 

Her clothes are ⸤made of⸥ linen and purple cloth. 

²³“Her husband is known at the city gates 

when he sits with the leaders of the land. 

²⁴“She makes linen garments and sells them 

and delivers belts to the merchants. 

²⁵She dresses with strength and nobility, 

and she smiles at the future. 

²⁶“She speaks with wisdom, 

and on her tongue there is tender instruction. 

²⁷She keeps a close eye on the conduct of her family, 

and she does not eat the bread of idleness.