Who can find a virtuous woman? Her price is above rubies, The heart of her husband trusts safely in her, And he shall have no want of spoil. She will do him good and not evil All the days of her life. She seeketh wool and flax, She worketh willingly with her hands; She is like the merchants’ ships, She bringeth her food from afar; She riseth while it is yet night, And giveth meat to her household and tasks 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 enjoyeth the fruit of her labour, Her lamp goeth not out by night; She stretcheth forth her hand to the distaff, Her fingers hold the spindle. She openeth her hand to the poor, Yea, she stretcheth forth her hands to the needy. She feareth not the snow for her household, For all her household are doubly clad: She maketh herself coverings, She is clad in fine linen and in purple. Her husband is honoured in the gates, When he sitteth among the elders of the land. She maketh costly garments and selleth them, She delivereth girdles to the merchant, Strength and honour are her clothing; She feareth not for the future; She openeth her mouth with wisdom, On her tongue are precepts of kindness. She looketh well to her household, And eateth not the bread of idleness. Her children arise up and call her blessed, Her husband and he praiseth her (saying) “Many daughters have done virtuously, But thou excellest them all. Comeliness is deceitful and beauty is vain, But a woman that feareth Jehovah shall be praised. Praise her for the fruit of her hands; Let her works praise her in the gate.”
The preparations for the nuptials were speedily made in both houses. The numerous female companions of Sulamith assembled in Selumiel’s Armon. The bride, who had just completed her fourteenth year, was conducted to a bath, at which, gratification for all the senses was properly provided for her, and for all her young companions. After bathing, she was anointed with the choicest perfumes, and her friends brought their gifts, consisting of clothes and costly articles, most of them made by themselves. Her hair was perfumed and braided, her eyebrows deepened with a powder of brilliant black, and her nails coloured red. Next, the young maidens, her companions, arrayed her in the nuptial robes, of the finest texture and most brilliant colour, which flowed with ample folds to her feet. The girdle was clasped around her waist, the veil hung down from her head, and high above all her other ornaments rose a crown, from which the bride was called _the crowned_.