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The first reading
Proverbs 31: 10 - 31
10. A good wife who can find? She is far more precious than
jewels.
11. The heart of her husband trusts in her, and he will have no
lack of gain.
12. She does him good, and not harm, all the days of her life.
13. She seeks wool and flax, and works with willing hands.
14. She is like the ships of the merchant, she brings her food
from afar.
15. She rises while it is yet night and provides food for her
household and tasks for her maidens.
16. She considers a field and buys it; with the fruit of her hands
she plants a vineyard.
17. She girds her loins with strength and makes her arms strong.
18. She perceives that her merchandise is profitable. Her
lamp does not go out at night.
19. She puts her hands to the distaff, and her hands hold the
spindle.
20. She opens her hand to the poor, and reaches out her hands to
the needy.
21. She is not afraid of snow for her household, for all her
household are clothed in scarlet.
22. She makes herself coverings; 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; she delivers girdles
to the merchant.
25. Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she laughs at the
time to come.
26. She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness
is on her tongue.
27. She looks well to 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 women have done excellently, but you surpass them all."
30. Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears
the Lord is to be praised.
31. Give her of the fruit of her hands, and let her works praise
her in the gates.
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