Proverbs 31:10-31 Reading
Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised (vs 30, NIV).
A good wife’s attributes: noble, worth more than rubies, brings him good not harm, hard working, smart/intelligent, provides food for her family, good commercial sense (vs 16, 18, 24), kind to the poor and needy (vs 20), clothed with strength and dignity, wise (vs 26), children call her blessed; her husband praises her (vs 28).
Proverbs 31:10-31
[10]How hard it is to find a capable wife! She is worth far more than jewels!
[11]Her husband puts his confidence in her, and he will never be poor.
[12]As long as she lives, she does him good and never harm.
[13]She keeps herself busy making wool and linen cloth.
[14]She brings home food from out-of-the-way places, as merchant ships do.
[15]She gets up before daylight to prepare food for her family and to tell her servant women what to do.
[16]She looks at land and buys it, and with money she has earned she plants a vineyard.
[17]She is a hard worker, strong and industrious.
[18]She knows the value of everything she makes, and works late into the night.
[19]She spins her own thread and weaves her own cloth.
[20]She is generous to the poor and needy.
[21]She doesn’t worry when it snows, because her family has warm clothing.
[22]She makes bedspreads and wears clothes of fine purple linen.
[23]Her husband is well known, one of the leading citizens.
[24]She makes clothes and belts, and sells them to merchants.
[25]She is strong and respected and not afraid of the future.
[26]She speaks with a gentle wisdom.
[27]She is always busy and looks after her family’s needs.
[28]Her children show their appreciation, and her husband praises her.
[29]He says, “Many women are good wives, but you are the best of them all.”
[30]Charm is deceptive and beauty disappears, but a woman who honours the Lord should be praised.
[31]Give her credit for all she does. She deserves the respect of everyone.