Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the LORD, she shall be praised. - 31:30

Who finds a wife finds a good thing, and obtains favour of the LORD 18:22. a prudent wife is from the LORD. 19:14

I. A Praiseworthy Woman Is The Mother Of A Wise Child

  23:25 your mother shall be glad, she that bare you shall rejoice.

A. She knows God And His Ways Well Enough To Reproduce Them In Others

9:13  A foolish woman is clamorous: she is simple, and knows nothing.

1:8  6:20 My son, hear the instruction of thy father, and forsake not the law of thy mother  31:1 words...that his mother taught him.

B. She knows Children and God’s plan for them well enough to grow them wisely

29:15 The rod and reproof give wisdom: but a child left to himself brings his mother to shame. 4:3.

10:1 A wise son makes a glad father: but a foolish son is the heaviness of his mother. 15:20 but a foolish man despises his mother.

II. A Praiseworthy Woman Is The Wife Of A Happy Husband

A. She knows what is displeasing to God and Man and Avoids it

14:1  Every wise woman builds her house: but the foolish plucks it down with her hands.

11:22  As a jewel of gold in a swine's snout, so is a fair woman which is without discretion.

19:13 the contentions of a wife are a continual dropping. 27:15 continual dropping in a rainy day and a contentious woman are alike.

21:9  25:24  It is better to dwell in a corner of the housetop, than with a brawling woman in a wide house.

21:19  better to dwell in the wilderness, than with a contentious and an angry woman. 30:23  odious/hateful woman when she is married;

30:20  Such is the way of an adulterous woman; she eats, and wipes her mouth, and says, I have done no wickedness.

12:4 A virtuous woman is a crown to her husband: but she that makes ashamed is as rottenness in his bones.

B. She knows Men and the Words and Ways that keep them attracted

2:16 from the stranger which flatters with her words; 6:24  from the flattery of the tongue of a strange woman. 7:5

5:3  For the lips of a strange woman drop as an honeycomb, and her mouth is smoother than oil:

5:18...rejoice with the wife of your youth.20 why  be ravished with a strange woman, and embrace the bosom of a stranger?

6:26 adulteress will hunt for the precious life.7:10  there met him a woman with the attire of an harlot, and subtle of heart.

III. A Praiseworthy Woman Has Value From Virtue

31:10  Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.

A.      As her primary responsibility she meets her husbands needs 31:11  The heart of her husband safely trusts in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil.12  She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life.

B.             She is an eager, adventuresome worker 31:13  She seeks wool...works willingly 14 She like the merchants' ships brings food from afar.

C.              She disciplines herself for the benefit of others  31:15 She rises night, and gives meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens.

D.      She wisely makes profitable decisions 31:16 She considers a field, buys it: with the fruit of her hands she plants a vineyard.

E.      She does sit-ups and push-ups 31:17 She girds her loins with strength, and strengthens her arms.

F.       She’s an attentive planner 31:18 She perceives that her merchandise is good: her candle goes not out by night.

G.      She does the tough jobs until they’re done 31:19  She lays her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff.

H.             She takes the initiative to serve others 31:20  She stretches out her hand to the poor; she reaches forth her hands to the needy.

I.        She fights fear with foresight 31:21  She’s not afraid of snow for her household: for all her household clothed with scarlet.

J.       She makes herself attractive 31:22  She makes herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple.

K.      She helps her husband succeed in honor 31:23 Her husband is known in the gates, when he sits among the elders of the land.

L.      She runs a home based business 31:24  She makes fine linen, and sells it; and delivers girdles unto the merchant.

M.     She has enduring internal beauty 31:25  Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come.

N.      She is wise and kind 31:26  She opens her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness.

O.      She’s a busy queen bee 31:27  She looks well to the ways of her household, and eats not the bread of idleness.

P.       She has earned the respect and praise of her family 31:28 Her children rise and call her blessed; her husband praises her.

Q.      In her husband’s eyes, she has no competition 31:29  Many daughters have done virtuously, but you excel them all.

R.      She fears God more than man 31:30 Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain: woman that fears the LORD, she shall be praised.

S.       Her production results in her praise 31:31  Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates.

From His Needs, Her Needs: Sexual, Team/playmate, Attractive, Resourceful/domestic, Respecter; Affection, Conversation, Trustworthy/Transparent, Earner, Responsible father

Questions for Reflection/Discussion/Response:

1. Are praiseworthy women born or made? How is a praiseworthy woman created?

2. What most commonly trips up a praiseworthy woman? What are some safeguards?

3. How does a woman tear down her house? How does one built it up?

4. What’s the correct response to a virtuous woman? How should one respond to one who isn’t praiseworthy?

5. What steps should someone take who wants to become more praiseworthy?