The wife of Noble Character

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 with eager 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 woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.

Give her the reward she has earned,

 and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.

這位女子是現代有才有德女子的偶像， 集智慧， 能力， 權威，自尊，仁愛，高貴於一身。中國歷史凝練出的才德婦人賢惠有容，品性端莊， 在這些方面可與其相提並論，但在外交經商方面，難望其項背， 因為在中國的漫長歷史中，女子拋頭露面是被唾棄的。中國近代傳統思想里，結了婚的女子就要為丈夫孩子犧牲一切， 節衣縮食，不顧儀容， 更是很多婚姻悲劇的開始。這位女子能得到所有人包括丈夫由衷的珍惜，尊重和愛戴，丈夫覺得有了她什麼都不缺，那可是天下婦女夢寐以求的呀。我真的嘆為觀止，對這一篇百讀不厭。妙文呀。