Something to Aim For!

The Proverbs 31 Woman

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When one finds a worthy wife, her value is far beyond pearls.

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Her husband, entrusting his heart to her, has an unfailing prize.

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¹ She brings him good, and not evil, all the days of her life.

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She obtains wool and flax and makes cloth with skillful hands.

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² Like merchant ships, she secures her provisions from afar.

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She rises while it is still night, and distributes food to her household.

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She picks out a field to purchase; out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.

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She is girt about with strength, and sturdy are her arms.

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³ She enjoys the success of her dealings; at night her lamp is undimmed.

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She puts her hands to the distaff, and her fingers ply the spindle.

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She reaches out her hands to the poor, and extends her arms to the needy.

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She fears not the snow for her household; all her charges are doubly clothed.

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She makes her own coverlets; fine linen and purple are her clothing.

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Her husband is prominent at the city gates as he sits with the elders of the land.

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She makes garments and sells them, and stocks the merchants with belts.

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⁴ She is clothed with strength and dignity, and she laughs at the days to come.

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She opens her mouth in wisdom, and on her tongue is kindly counsel.

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She watches the conduct of her household, and eats not her food in idleness.

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Her children rise up and praise her; her husband, too, extols her:

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"Many are the women of proven worth, but you have excelled them all."

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⁵ Charm is deceptive and beauty fleeting; the woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.

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Give her a reward of her labors, and let her works praise her at the city gates.