Monday, my friend Johnnie Glen read Proverbs 31:10 as part of her grandmother’s eulogy. In case you do not know the verse, I thought I would share two versions.
First from the New American Standard Bible:
10 An excellent wife, who can find? for her worth is far above jewels.
11 The heart of her husband trusts in her, and he will have no lack of gain.
12 She does him good and not evil all the days of her life.
13 She looks for wool and flax and works with her hands in delight.
14 She is like merchant ships; she brings her food from afar.
15 She rises also while it is still night and gives food to her household and portions to her maidens.
16 She considers a field and buys it; from her earnings she plants a vineyard.
17 She girds herself with strength and makes her arms strong.
18 She senses that her gain is good; her lamp does not go out at night.
19 She stretches out her hands to the distaff, and her hands grasp the spindle.
20 She extends her hand to the poor, and she stretches out her hands to the needy.
21 She is not afraid of the snow for her household, or all her household are clothed with scarlet.
22 She makes coverings for herself; her clothing is fine linen and purple.
23 Her husband is known in the gates, hen he sits among the elders of the land.
24 She makes linen garments and sells them, and supplies belts to the tradesmen.
25 Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she smiles at the future.
26 She opens her mouth in wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.
27 She looks well to the ways of her household, and does not eat the bread of idleness.
28 Her children rise up and bless her; her husband also, and he praises her, saying:
29 “Many daughters have done nobly, but you excel them all.”
30 Charm is deceitful and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the LORD, she shall be praised.
31 Give her the product of her hands, and let her works praise her in the gates.
And this the version from the Jewish Publication Society Tanakh (1917).
10 A woman of valour who can find? for her price is far above rubies.
11 The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, and he hath no lack of gain.
12 She doeth him good and not evil all the days of her life.
13 She seeketh wool and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands.
14 She is like the merchant-ships; she bringeth her food from afar.
15 She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth food to her household, and a portion to her maidens.
16 She considereth a field, and buyeth it; with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard.
17 She girdeth her loins with strength, and maketh strong her arms.
18 She perceiveth that her merchandise is good; her lamp goeth not out by night.
19 She layeth her hands to the distaff, and her hands hold the spindle.
20 She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy.
21 She is not afraid of the snow for her household; for all her household are clothed with scarlet.
22 She maketh for herself coverlets; her clothing is fine linen and purple.
23 Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land.
24 She maketh linen garments and selleth them; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant.
25 Strength and dignity are her clothing; and she laugheth at the time to come.
26 She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and the law of kindness is on her tongue.
27 She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness.
28 Her children rise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her:
29 Many daughters have done valiantly, but thou excellest them all.’
30 Grace is deceitful, and beauty is vain; but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised.
31 Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her works praise her in the gates.
I think it was the inclusion of this verse in an unusual (for me personally) context that I found so thought provoking. I mean, I have heard and read the verse hundreds of times, maybe more since taking up spinning. In Jewish tradition, this quote is often read at weddings, but I do not remember if the rabbi read it at my wedding.
I am continually working on being a worthy woman and I fall short in a few areas. Yet, when I wonder if my husband sees me as more valuable than rubies, I know the answer is yes! Although I surely “look for wool and flax” and work with my hands in delight and I even go all over town to get him just the right ice cream, those things do not tell me if he values me above rubies. I know that, because he encouraged me to quit a paying job to become a full time Fiber Artist! He was more interested in my personal satisfaction and spiritual journey than he was in my paycheck.
Blessing counted!!
Comments(2)
