"The Virtuous Woman"

by Samaiah
from Virtuous Daughters, April/May 2019~Volume 19, Number 1

A virtuous woman, who can find?
She's rare and she's priceless;
She's one of a kind.
 
The heart of her husband holdeth no fears.
He knows she will honor him
All of her years.
 
Goodness she'll do him all of his life,
No evil she'll show him,
For she's a good wife.
 
Fine wool and flax does this lady seek.
She works with her hands;
This woman's not weak.
 
It's not very hard to compare her to things;
From far away places come food
That she brings.
 
This kind of woman doesn't sleep late.
She keeps busy cooking and
Finds all a plate.
 
Some say she wants to buy a grape field.
With the fruit of her hands,
Fine crops it'll yield.
 
She setteth her mind on serving the Lord,
And His strength and power
Are her reward.
 
Perception and keenness
are character traits;
For she always perfects things
Before it's too late.
 
In her room a spindle is easy to find.
Her hands hold a distaff;
Her wool's the best kind.
 
She stretches her hands out
to give to the poor.
The needy ones fear not
To knock at her door.
 
She's not afraid of the winter or snow,
For her household is dressed well;
In scarlet they glow.
Her own homemade clothing is lovely to see.
She wears deep rich purples
And fine tapestry.
 
Her husband fears not to sit in Town Square,
The elders and noblemen
Know him well there.
 
This wonderful woman
makes linen quite well,
And the merchants who buy it
Can certainly tell.
 
This lady wears strength and honor all day,
Much rejoicing and singing
Are coming her way.
 
When she opens her mouth
with wisdom and care,
One marvels her words are
So kind and rare.
 
This lady looks well to the ways of her house.
She's never found idling;
Just go ask her spouse.
 
Her children rise up
and call her "blessed one."
Her husband, too, thanks her
For well she has done.
 
Many good daughters
have come and have gone,
But this priceless woman has
Passed them and won.
 
Favor is faulty and beauty is vain,
But a woman who fears God,
In praises shall reign.
 
Give this good woman the fruit she has sown.
May her works praise her;
And God bless her home.