א (Alef)
10 Who can find a capable wife,
→ and she’ll be worth far more than jewels?
ב (Beyt)
11 Her husband trusts her completely,
→ and he doesn’t lack in prosperity.
ג (Gimel)
12 She doesn’t harm him, but does him good,
right throughout her life.
ד (Dalet)
13 She searches for wool and flax,
and works eagerly with her hands.
ה (He)
14 She’s like those merchant ships—
she brings her food from far away.
ו (Vav)
15 She gets up when it’s still dark
to provide food for her household
and her servant girls.
ז (Zayin)
16 She appraises a field and buys it.
Using her own earnings, she plants a vineyard.
ח (Het)
17 She keeps herself fit,
and her arms are strong.
ט (Tet)
18 She’s aware that her merchandise is quality.
Her lamp doesn’t go out at night.
י (Yod)
19 Her hands work the spindle—
spinning thread for cloth.
כ (Kaf)
20 She’s generous to the poor,
≈ and reaches out to the needy.
ל (Lamed)
21 She’s not worried about her household when it snows,
because they’re all dressed in quality clothes.
מ (Mem)
22 She makes blankets for herself,
≈ fine linen, and her purple clothing.
נ (Nun)
23 Her husband is well-known in the community,
where he sits with the nation’s elders.
ס (Samek)
24 She makes linen clothes and sells them,
≈ and she supplies sashes to the merchants.
ע (Ayin)
25 She’s clothed with strength and dignity,
and she laughs as she thinks about the future.
פ (Pe)
26 It’s always wisdom that comes out of her mouth,
≈ and loyal commitment guides the instructions on her tongue.
צ (Tsade)
27 She keeps an eye on the comings and goings of her household,
and she doesn’t indulge in laziness.
ק (Qof)
28 Her sons stand and compliment her,
≈ and her husband also praises her:
ר (Resh)
29 “There’s many women with ability,
^ but you’re better than any of them.”
ש (Sin/Shin)
30 Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting,
^ but a woman that honours and strives to obey Yahweh will be praised.
ת (Tav)
31 Give her the honour that she deserves,
≈ and let her abilities praise her at the city gates.
