An Excellent Woman[fn]

• 10 [fn] of excellence,[fn] who will find?For her worth is far more than precious jewels.
• 11 [fn] trusts in her, and gain he will not lack.
• 12  all the days of her life.
• 13  and she works with the diligence of[fn]
• 14  from far off she brings her food;[fn]
• 15 it is still night, and gives food to her household,
• and tasks to her servant girls.
• 16  from the fruit of[fn] she plants a vineyard.
• 17  and makes her arms strong.
• 18 is good; her lamp does not go out in the night.
• 19 [fn] and her palms hold a spindle.
• 20  and her hand she reaches out to the needy.
• 21 when it snows, for[fn] is clothed in crimson.
• 22  her clothing is fine linen and purple.
• 23 [fn] is known at the gates, in his seat among the elders of the land.
• 24  and she supplies sashes for the merchants.
• 25  and she laughs[fn]
• 26  and instruction of kindness is upon her tongue.
• 27  and the bread of idleness she will not eat.
• 28  her husband[fn] also, and he praises her;
• 29 [fn] but[fn] all of them.”
• 30 [fn] is deceit and beauty[fn]is vain;[fn]but a woman who fears Yahweh shall be praised.
• 31  and may they praise her works in the city gates.