An Excellent Womanf

10 A womang of excellence,h who will find?

For her worth is far more than precious jewels.

11 The heart of her husbandi trusts in her,

and gain he will not lack.

12 She does him good, but not harm

all the days of her life.

13 She seeks wool and flax,

and she works with the diligence of ⌊her hands⌋.j

14 She is like the ships of a merchant;

from far off she brings her food;k

15 And she arises while it is still night,

and gives food to her household,

and tasks to her servant girls.

16 She considers a field and buys it,

from the fruit of ⌊her hand⌋l she plants a vineyard.

17 She girds her waist in strength,

and makes her arms strong.

18 She perceives that her merchandise is good;

her lamp does not go out in the night.

19 Her hands she puts onto the distaff,m

and her palms hold a spindle.

20 Her palm she opens to the poor,

and her hand she reaches out to the needy.

21 She does not fear for her house when it snows,

for ⌊her entire household⌋n is clothed in crimson.

22 She makes for herself coverings;

her clothing is fine linen and purple.

23 Her husbando is known at the gates,

in his seat among the elders of the land.

24 Linen garments she makes and sells,

and she supplies sashes for the merchants.

25 Strength and dignity are her clothing,

and she laughs ⌊at the future⌋.p

26 She opens her mouth with wisdom,

and instruction of kindness is upon her tongue.

27 She looks after the ways of her household,

and the bread of idleness she will not eat.

28 Her children rise and consider her happy,

her husbandq also, and he praises her;

29 “Many daughters have done excellence,r

but ⌊you surpass⌋s all of them.”

30 Charmt is deceit and beautyu is vain;v

but a woman who fears Yahweh shall be praised.

31 Give to her from the fruit of her hand,

and may they praise her works in the city gates.