Proverbs 31:8-31 (Vespers, 2nd Reading)
8 |
Open your mouth for the speechless, In the cause of all who are appointed to die. |
9 |
Open your mouth, judge righteously, And plead the cause of the poor and needy. |
10 |
Who can find a virtuous wife? For her worth is far above rubies. |
11 |
The heart of her husband safely trusts her; So he will have no lack of gain. |
12 |
She does him good and not evil All the days of her life. |
13 |
She seeks wool and flax, And willingly works with her hands. |
14 |
She is like the merchant ships, She brings her food from afar. |
15 |
She also rises while it is yet night, And provides food for her household, And a portion for her maidservants. |
16 |
She considers a field and buys it; From her profits she plants a vineyard. |
17 |
She girds herself with strength, And strengthens her arms. |
18 |
She perceives that her merchandise is good, And her lamp does not go out by night. |
19 |
She stretches out her hands to the distaff, And her hand holds the spindle. |
20 |
She extends her hand to the poor, Yes, she reaches out her hands to the needy. |
21 |
She is not afraid of snow for her household, For all her household is clothed with scarlet. |
22 |
She makes tapestry for herself; Her clothing is fine linen and purple. |
23 |
Her husband is known in the gates, When he sits among the elders of the land. |
24 |
She makes linen garments and sells them, And supplies sashes for the merchants. |
25 |
Strength and honor are her clothing; She shall rejoice in time to come. |
26 |
She opens her mouth with wisdom, And on her tongue is the law of kindness. |
27 |
She watches over the ways of her household, And does not eat the bread of idleness. |
28 |
Her children rise up and call her blessed; Her husband also, and he praises her: |
29 |
“Many daughters have done well, But you excel them all.” |
30 |
Charm is deceitful and beauty is passing, But a woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised. |
31 |
Give her of the fruit of her hands, And let her own works praise her in the gates. |