“A wife of noble character who can find?  She is worth far more than rubies. 

  Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value.

  She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life.

  She selects wool and flax and works eagerly with her hands.

  She is like the merchant ships, bringing her food from afar.

  She gets up while it is still dark; she provides food for her family and portions for her servant girls.

  She considers a field and buys it; out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.

  She sets about her work vigorously; her arms are strong for her tasks.

  She sees that her trading is profitable, and her lamp does not go out at night.

  In her hand she holds the distaff and grasps the spindle with her fingers.

  She opens her arms to the poor and extends her hands to the needy.

  When it snows, she has no fear for her household; for all of them are clothed in scarlet.

  She makes coverings for her bed; she is clothed in fine linen and purple.

  Her husband is respected at the city gate, where he takes his seat among the elders of the land.

  She makes linen garments and sells them, and supplies the merchants with sashes.

  She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come.

  She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue.

  She watches over the affairs of her household, and does not eat the bread of  idleness.

  Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her.

  ‘Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all.’

  Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.

  Give her the reward she has earned, and let her works bring praise at the city gate.” (Prov. 31:10-31)

 

This is a woman who does nothing out of selfish ambition.  All her works are for the benefit of others. (Her children, husband, the poor and needy)  That is why the first line of this passage says, “A wife of noble character who can find?”   She is truly rare.  “Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value.  She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life.”   This is not a woman who competes with her husband as worldly women do, but she works to bring him good. 

She is not a woman who craves authority or recognition.  It is her husband who “takes his seat among the elders of the land.”   While “she watches over the affairs of her household, and does not eat the bread of idleness.”  She does not make herself beautiful with braided hair or jewellery, but is “clothed with strength and dignity”.

She receives praise from her husband and children (and rightly so).  But she does not seek praise from others.  She is a woman who “speaks with wisdom”, because above all, she fears the Lord.  

“Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.”   If we know Scripture, then we know where this woman’s wisdom comes from:  “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.” (Psalm 111:10).  Any woman who wishes to be like her should take note of that one thing above all else: “Fear God” (1 Peter 2:17).