When my oldest child was a baby, I had an assignment from my discipler to write Proverbs 31:10-31 in my own words. It was my first experience paraphrasing a portion of Scripture, and I loved it. I enjoyed researching the meanings behind the words and trying to capture them in a fresh light. I had framed this piece and hung it in my home for quite a while, and through all of our moves, I thought I had lost it. I was so excited to find it recently, and wanted to share it here.

Who can find a wife of noble character, a woman of valiant strength? Her worth is in the Lord and in her husband; she is precious and priceless, constantly growing in humility, beauty, and gentleness.

In his heart and mind, her husband completely trusts in her and relies on her; he is made safe and secure and has an abundance of value. He lacks nothing.

She pushes him forward and brings him good every day of her life. Realizing that her husband is adequate covering, she submits to him and obeys him in everything. As long as she is breathing, she does not cause him affliction, displeasure, or stress.

She is well-trained; she chooses yarn and flax and commits to working with diligence and enthusiastic hands.

She is like a sailor from a fleet of trading ships; she goes a great distance to come home with food for her family.

She is disciplined with her time and sleep; she gets up before the sun rises to make ready the meals for her family.

She is purposeful in her efforts; she carefully decides to buy a field, and from the fruit of her labor she plants a vineyard.

She puts on the armor of the Lord, ready and willing to work ruthlessly, for her arms are strengthened and determined for her responsibilities.

She discovers through experience that her trading is rewarding and prosperous, and her lamp continues burning through the night.

She is relentlessly enveloped with the work of women, securely holding the distaff tight in her hand and continually grasping the spindle with her fingers.

She is completely vulnerable, creating intimacy with the poor in mind and circumstance, stretching herself on their behalf. Knowing that she is an extension of God’s arms and hands, she repeatedly reaches out to the needy and sows into their lives. By the grace of God, she makes every attempt to eliminate the need of His people.

When winter arrives, she is not filled with fear for her family because every one of them is covered and kept warm in scarlet.

She attends to her duties like a skilled craftsman, fabricating coverings for her bed. Resembling royalty, she wears only the finest of linens, made from strong silky threads and purple material.

She is a reflection of her husband, who is everything in these verses and more. He has attained the approval of his fellow citizens; he is well-known and appreciated at the city gate, where he sits enthroned with the other elders, appointed by the Lord.

Like a merchant of fashion, she designs linen garments and sells them herself to supply a profit for her family. She blesses her competition, her fellow merchants, with a gift: handmade sashes constructed from the most luxurious fabric in all the land.

Her spiritual clothing is not of this world; she is purposeful in what she wears in an effort to grow in pleasing the Lord. She wraps strength and boldness around her; she is loud in praising the Most High. She deliberately puts on nobility and dignity; she does all she can to be beautiful for our God. Believing that her life is in her Father’s hands, she doesn’t spend even a second worrying about her future.

She feeds her hungry disciples with words of life, leading them into repentance from an exposure of sin and onward into freedom from bondage. Her instruction is in accordance with the Lord; she pours out His unfailing agape love and her speech is filled with grace and wisdom; for that reason her words are heeded. The wisdom she speaks with is from heaven and it is pure, peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial, and sincere. Her words come from her heart, which is purified daily by the Lord.

Her family is her first and most important ministry. She is a faithful watchman within her home; she is proactive and persistent in prayer, setting them up strategically and powerfully to damage the enemy. She is peering into the distance all the time, prepared for an attack of any kind. Her home is a place of safety, surrounded by a hedge of thorns for protection; everyone inside is amply protected. She is not characterized whatsoever by idleness; she refuses to taste even a crumb of laziness. She is a blessing within her home, embracing her chores with an eager desire.

Her grateful children come forward and stand firmly, speaking well of their mother; she is a treasure to them and they strive to benefit her for the work she has poured out on their behalf. Her husband confirms that she is a blessing in their lives; he gives thanks and commends her, singing:

“Countless multitudes of women do courageous and worthy things, but you outdo and out-serve them all; you go beyond their special abilities. Without question, you exceed the expectation placed before you because you depend on and trust the Lord in everything; you always seek to please Him.”

Kindness and favor with intended gain or selfish motive is unreliable and misleading. Physical and outward beauty is empty and brief. But a woman who fears God and not man is to be admired. Valued is she who honors the Lord and arranges her life in accordance with His will. She withdraws from wickedness and shuns evil. Overwhelmed, but not disabled, by His power and love, she worships Yahweh with everything she has. She stands in awe, with arms wide open; she falls humbly to her knees in reverence.

Hand over the compensation that she has earned from the fruit of her hand; let her toil and hard work bring glory to her God and respect to her husband at the city gate by her fellow townsmen. May God pour out and command blessing in her husband’s life. Let the generations to come remember that she truly was a wife of noble character.

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To read my paraphrase of The Lord’s Prayer, click here!

What I’ve been listening to this week:

• Songs of Union by Adam Paulson