“Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.
The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no
need of spoil. She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life.
She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands.
She is like the merchants’ ships; she bringeth her food from afar.
She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household,
and a portion to her maidens.

She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she
planteth a vineyard.

She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms. She
perceiveth that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out by night.
She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff.
She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea,
she reacheth forth her hands to the needy.

She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household are
clothed with scarlet. She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing
is silk and purple.

Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among
the elders of the land.

She maketh fine linen, and selleth it; and delivereth girdles unto the
merchant.

Strength and honor are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come.
She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of
kindness.

She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of
idleness.

Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he
praiseth her.

Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all. 31:30
Favor is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman
that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised.
Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works
praise her in the gates” (Prov. 31:10-31).

As Mary sat at Jesus, feet
And listened to His Word,
So would we in these latter days,
Hear and obey our Lord
There would we hear His blessed voice
And gaze upon His face,
Would learn in meekness at His feet
What is the woman’s place.

Not to usurp authority
Or take the place of men,
Yet she can serve in other ways,
As did the women then.
With ready mind to do His will,
Like those of long ago,
With willing heart to serve Him well,
True loyalty to show.

Like Hannah, Miriam, Deborah,
She may His praises speak;
She may lead other women on;
She may support the weak;
She may train children for the Lord;
Uphold the fainting heart,
Inspiring with a steadfast faith
The men to do their part.

Like Sarah, and like others, too,
Her husband to obey,
With willing hands prepare a feast
When strangers come that way,
And thus, like Sarah, entertain
An angel unaware;
“Ye did it unto Me,” He’ll say,
Whose eyes are everywhere.

Like her who did at Shunem dwell,
God’s servants to receive;
Like Abigail in David’s day
The hungry to relieve;
And so we might pursue the tale
Of women long ago,
Who served the Lord in simple faith
While yet they dwelt below.

Who wait upon the Lord their God
Shall mount on eagle wings,
And elder women, taught of Him,
Are teachers of good things:
To teach young women to be wise,
Discreet, and good, and kind,
To serve the Lord with gladsome heart,
And with a quiet mind.

The care of immaturity,
Of childhood and of youth,
To lead the young and wayward feet
Along the paths of truth,
To train them in right ways to go
From e’en their earliest days,
So they shall still, when older grown,
Be found in wisdom’s ways.

To care for all her household well,
And bring up worthy sons,
To help the poor with kindly deeds,
Relieve afflicted ones;
To comfort those in sore distress,
And succour bring to all
Who need her help, as Phoebe helped
The great apostle Paul.

Like Persis, Lydia, Tabitha
To labour for the Lord,
Spend time and substance for the poor
And earn a rich reward;
To practise hospitality,
And oft resort to prayer,
To follow on with steadfast mind
In all good works to share.

Such is the woman’s worthy place
Of service to her Lord;
So shall she do His blessed will
According to His Word.
Who would not gladly serve Him thus:
Who would not count it good
To hear the Master say at last,
“She hath done what she could”?

From the Christian Book Room Hong Kong
John Short, Email:cbrhk@cbrhk.org
P.O.Box 95413,
Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon,
Hong Kong, CHINA.