10 Who can find a virtuous and capable wife?
She is more precious than rubies.
11 Her husband can trust her,
--not to cheat at Monopoly and she will greatly enrich his life.
12 She brings him good, not harm,
all the days of her life.
--Except that one day she accidentally shot a nail gun at his foot which was probably his fault anyway for standing so close... 13 She finds wool and flax
and busily spins it.
14 She is like a merchant’s ship,
--wait, is he calling her fat?? bringing her food from afar.
--oh... 15 She gets up before dawn to prepare breakfast for her household
and plan the day’s work for her servant girls.
--Ahh, so that's the secret. God, if you want me to be a virtuous wife I'm going to need some servant girls, pronto. This is probably why we don't see any mention of the virtuous wife cleaning her house. 16 She goes to inspect a field and buys it;
with her earnings she plants a vineyard.
--This girl is big on investments! When was the last time you bought something that could generate more income for you? Does a Mac and Adobe Suite count?? 17 She is energetic and strong,
a hard worker.
--"Energetic." Proof that the virtuous wife drinks coffee. 18 She makes sure her dealings are profitable;
her lamp burns late into the night.
--Cutting coupons, no doubt. 19 Her hands are busy spinning thread,
her fingers twisting fiber.
--crafty lady! 20 She extends a helping hand to the poor
and opens her arms to the needy.
21 She has no fear of winter for her household,
for everyone has warm clothes.
22 She makes her own bedspreads.
--Note to self: make a bedspread. She dresses in fine linen and purple gowns.
--Proof that God wants me to go shopping and buy pretty things! (It doesn't SAY that she spun & dyed the thread before hand-stitching the gown herself... she could've bought it!) 23 Her husband is well known at the city gates,
where he sits with the other civic leaders.
--Is an awesome husband required to be a virtuous wife? I suppose she was first a virtuous girl with many offers of marriage who made a discerning decision. She don't want no scrubs. 24 She makes belted linen garments
and sashes to sell to the merchants.
--Obviously a professional in her field. Probably sells on Etsy, too. 25 She is clothed with strength and dignity,
--Where has all the dignity gone? and she laughs without fear of the future.
--Laughter required. Worrying banned. 26 When she speaks, her words are wise,
and she gives instructions with kindness.
--With kindness, not shouts, rolling eyes, and exasperated sighs. 27 She carefully watches everything in her household
and suffers nothing from laziness.
--Which reminds me of a project I need to finish... 28 Her children stand and bless her.
--Do nieces/nephews count? Because those Borkert kids think I'm pretty cool. Her husband praises her:
--Bryan, are you getting this?? 29 “There are many virtuous and capable women in the world,
but you surpass them all!”
30 Charm is deceptive, and beauty does not last;
--and plastic surgery looks fake; but a woman who fears the Lord will be greatly praised.
31 Reward her for all she has done.
Let her deeds publicly declare her praise.
--Reward her? Ok, Bryan, I like gift cards, shopping sprees, date nights, flowers, Bliss cupcakes...
