Her devotion is of no fitful sort. “She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life.”
She is clever and far-seeing, and able to turn the means with which she has been entrusted to good account in her purchases of land and of goods.
She is industrious. “She riseth also while it is yet night.” “She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff.”
She thinks and cares for those she rules for. “She giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens.” “She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all ... are clothed with scarlet.”
In the midst of wealth and abundance she seeks out, and blesses by her bounty, those who are less favoured. Note the expression. “She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy.”
No niggardly giving here. She seeks rather than is sought by the poor. She is the cheerful giver whom God loveth.
She does not despise rich and beautiful clothing, becoming to her position. “Her clothing is silk and purple,” which she may well wear with satisfaction, seeing that she has cared for the needs of others both near and afar off. But she has better garments than the silk and purple, for “strength and honour are her clothing” also.
With all her strength, riches, commercial shrewdness and industry, she combines wisdom and kindness in deed and word. “In her tongue is the law of kindness.”
Good mistress! Good wife! Good mother! “She looketh well to the ways of her household.” “Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her.”
Note the summing up of the whole matter. “Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain; but a woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised.... Let her own works praise her.”