She wears a diamond ring upon her finger, but regards it as a promise, not as a trinket. She does not flaunt it to her friends; it is not for them. It is for her. She does not lose it, not because it was expensive, but because it is priceless. A symbol of love, of faithfulness.
She is worth far more than rubies.
Her husband has full confidence in her.
Love and peace are her garments. She put off envy and spite; they are not fitting for a woman of her stature. She tossed them into the wind, and they were caught by jealous children, children that were hungry for layers of sin.
She is clothed with strength and dignity.
When did she become so wise? At what point does a girl become a woman; at what point does she suddenly become learned in the ways of buying and selling, of cooking and cleaning, of counseling and listening?
She selects wool and flax and works with eager hands.
She is like the merchant ships, bringing her food from afar.
She makes coverings for her bed.
She watches over the affairs of her household.
She wakes up when the sun is low in the sky, preparing not only for the day that lies ahead of her, but the day that lies ahead of her sons, her daughters, her husband. She is their constant calendar, making lists and writing things down. Without her guidance, their lives would fall apart, like so many pieces of broken glass.
She gets up while it is still dark.
She does not sleep until her children are safe in their beds.
Her lamp does not go out at night.
However, she does not only satisfy those in relation to her. She provides for the ones that she does not know as well. The ones that are cold, she gives them clothes. The ones that are hungry, she gives them sustenance.
She opens her arms to the poor and extends her hands to the needy.
Although the weather foretells of cloudy days ahead, she believes that the sun will rise again, sooner or later. She is always right. The sun does always come up.
She can laugh at the days to come.
The words of her mouth are always uplifting, negativity does not escape her lips. For, if she were pessimistic, what would the others do? They depend on her good graces to cancel out their own harsh words.
She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue.
She works, but not in a self-glorifying way, in a way that tells others, "I worked for what I have received, and I am teaching others the beauty of give and take."
She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness.
She is well-admired, and well-loved. By her children.
Her children arise, and call her blessed.
But, she is especially adored by the man who put that diamond ring on her finger, the one who promised himself to her, the one who is learning that a strong boy is nothing without a gentle girl beside him. He appreciates the gift God has given him. He praises her.
"Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all," he tells her.
She is beautiful. The sight of her gives pleasure to her husband, and her children are proud of her appearance. But she knows that this, too, is fleeting. One day her skin will become wrinkled, and her hair will lighten. A result of the worry that she so often wears in accessory to love and peace. And when her skin is no longer velvet and her hair is no longer silk, she will still be beautiful. Because she began to store up her beauty in other vaults long ago.
Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting, but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.
She sees. She knows. She lives. She loves. She helps. She does.
She will be rewarded.
Give her the reward she has earned, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.
Give her the reward she has earned.
Praise at the city gate.
Praise at the city gate.
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