A good friend of mine asked me back in the early '90s if I could put music to the text of Proverbs 31:10-31, which of course is the description given of a virtuous woman. I hardly know anyone, woman or otherwise, who could live up to this description, but it certainly is a worthy pursuit. Anyway, I managed to accomplish the task in 1997, and this is the result.

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 honour [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.
Favour 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.
Proverbs thirty-one, verses ten through thirty-one.
And let her own works praise her in the gates.