Proverbs 31:10-31 (Contemporary English Version)

In Praise of a Good Wife
10A truly good wife
is the most precious treasure

a man can find!

11Her husband depends on her,

and she never

lets him down.

12She is good to him

every day of her life,

13and with her own hands

she gladly makes clothes.

14She is like a sailing ship

that brings food

from across the sea.

15She gets up before daylight

to prepare food

for her family

and for her servants. [a] 16She knows how to buy land

and how to plant a vineyard,

17and she always works hard.

18She knows when to buy or sell,

and she stays busy

until late at night.

19She spins her own cloth,

20and she helps the poor

and the needy.

21Her family has warm clothing,

and so she doesn't worry

when it snows.

22She does her own sewing,

and everything she wears

is beautiful.

23Her husband is a well-known

and respected leader

in the city.

24She makes clothes to sell

to the shop owners.

25She is strong and graceful, [b] as well as cheerful

about the future.

26Her words are sensible,

and her advice

is thoughtful.

27She takes good care

of her family

and is never lazy.

28Her children praise her,

and with great pride

her husband says,

29"There are many good women,

but you are the best!"

30Charm can be deceiving,

and beauty fades away,

but a woman

who honors the LORD

deserves to be praised.

31Show her respect--

praise her in public

for what she has done.