Book of Proverbs

A Reading from the Book of Proverbs   (3:13-19)

When one finds a worthy woman,

her value is far beyond pearls.

She brings good and not evil

all the days of her life.

She rises when it is still night and

distributes food to her household.

She is girt with strength and

sturdy are her arms.

She reaches out her hands to the poor,

and extends her arms to the  needy.

She is clothed with strength and dignity,

and she laughs at the days to come.

She opens her mouth in wisdom,

and on her tongue is kindly counsel.

She watches the conduct of her household,

and eats not her food in idleness.

Charm is deceptive and beauty fleeting;

the woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.

Give her a reward to her labors,

and let her works praise her at the gates.

The Word of the Lord.