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.