An Outline of a Perfect Woman (Found in the Bible)

One of my favorite chapters in the Bible is Proverbs 31. It outlines what a virtuous woman should act like. It is also one of my un-favorite chapters, because it shows me what I am not like. Today for school, I had to outline Proverbs 31:10-31. This is what my guide said to do:

List all skills and character traits named in or reasonably inferred from Proverbs 31:10-31, breaking each into all of its component parts. Discuss with parents and/or consult commentaries so as not to miss anything. Save this list for use later in the unit. This describes the long-range goals of the study.

Here is Proverbs 31:10-31 (KJV):

10 Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.
11 The heart of her husband doth safely trust 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.
13 She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands.
14 She is like the merchants' ships; she bringeth her food from afar.
15 She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens.
16 She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard.
17 She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms.
18 She perceiveth that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out by night.
19 She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff.
20 She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy.
21 She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household are clothed with scarlet.
22 She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple.
23 Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land.
24 She maketh fine linen, and selleth it; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant.
25 Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come.
26 She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness.
27 She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness.
28 Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her.
29 Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all.
30 Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth 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.

So, I'll now share with you the list Mum helped me to make.

vs. 11: She is trustworthy, does not waste money.

vs. 12: She only does good, always builds up her husband (does not tear him down with her hands).

vs. 13: She makes her own clothing, is not afraid of work. She works with her hands.

vs. 14: She goes shopping, she gets her food cheaply and wisely.

vs. 15: She cooks all the food for her household, and always has enough for everyone. She gets up early, before sunrise, and isn't lazy.

vs. 16: She plants a garden and cares for it.

vs. 17: She is healthy and strong.

vs. 18: She buys and sells high-quality stuff. She is always ready for an emergency ("her candle goeth not out by night").

vs. 19: She works well with wool to make cloth, makes things from scratch.

vs. 20: She helps the poor.

vs. 21-22: She is not afraid to get cold, because she is always warm. Her family is robed in king's clothing.

vs. 23: Her husband is a leader, because he doesn't have to worry about keeping the house in order.

vs. 24: She makes more cloth than her family needs, and sells it for a profit.

vs. 25: She doesn't bemoan things that have gone wrong, she makes it to turn out well. She is honoured because she doesn't complain, she is cheerful.

vs. 26: She thinks about her words before she speaks, she never says an unkind word.

vs. 27: She takes care of her household well, and isn't lazy.

vs. 28: Her husband and children bless her for all the kind things she does for them.

vs. 29: She is virtuous.

vs. 30: She is praised because she fears the LORD and follows His commands.

vs. 31: Set be for her what she's done, and everyone will praise her.

This just shows how short I fall in being a "perfect" woman.