¹¹So now finish doing it, that your [enthusiastic] readiness in desiring it may be equalled by your completion of it according to your ability and means.

¹⁰A capable, intelligent, and ^[a]virtuous woman–who is he who can find her? She is far more precious than jewels and her value is far above rubies or pearls.^(A)

    ¹¹The heart of her husband trusts in her confidently and relies on and believes in her securely, so that he has no lack of [honest] gain or need of [dishonest] spoil.

    ¹²She comforts, encourages, and does him only good as long as there is life within her.

    ¹³She seeks out wool and flax and works with willing hands [to develop it].

    ¹⁴She is like the merchant ships loaded with foodstuffs; she brings her household’s food from a far [country].

    ¹⁵She rises while it is yet night and gets [spiritual] food for her household and assigns her maids their tasks.^(B)

    ¹⁶She considers a [new] field before she buys or accepts it [expanding prudently and not courting neglect of her present duties by assuming other duties]; with her savings [of time and strength] she plants fruitful vines in her vineyard. [S. of Sol. 8:12.]

    ¹⁷She girds herself with strength [spiritual, mental, and physical fitness for her God-given task] and makes her arms strong and firm.

    ¹⁸She tastes and sees that her gain from work [with and for God] is good; her lamp goes not out, but it burns on continually through the night [of trouble, privation, or sorrow, warning away fear, doubt, and distrust].

    ¹⁹She lays her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff.

    ²⁰She opens her hand to the poor, yes, she reaches out her filled hands to the needy [whether in body, mind, or spirit].

    ²¹She fears not the snow for her family, for all her household are doubly clothed in scarlet.^(C)

    ²²She makes for herself coverlets, cushions, and rugs of tapestry. Her clothing is of linen, pure and fine, and of purple [such as that of which the clothing of the priests and the hallowed cloths of the temple were made].^(D)

    ²³Her husband is known in the [city’s] gates, when he sits among the elders of the land.^(E)

    ²⁴She makes fine linen garments and leads others to buy them; she delivers to the merchants girdles [or sashes that free one up for service].

    ²⁵Strength and dignity are her clothing and her position is strong and secure; she rejoices over the future [the latter day or time to come, knowing that she and her family are in readiness for it]!

    ²⁶She opens her mouth in skillful and godly Wisdom, and on her tongue is the law of kindness [giving counsel and instruction].

    ²⁷She looks well to how things go in her household, and the bread of idleness (gossip, discontent, and self-pity) she will not eat.^(F)

    ²⁸Her children rise up and call her blessed (happy, fortunate, and to be envied); and her husband boasts of and praises her, [saying],

    ^29[b]Many daughters have done virtuously, nobly, and well [with the strength of character that is steadfast in goodness], but you excel them all.

    ³⁰Charm and grace are deceptive, and beauty is vain [because it is not lasting], but a woman who reverently and worshipfully fears the Lord, she shall be praised!

    ³¹Give her of the fruit of her hands, and let her own works praise her in the gates [of the city]!^(G)