The “Proverbs 31 woman.”

PROVERBS 31 WOMAN 'prɑ.vərbz 'θɜr.di 'wʌn 'wʊ.mən noun. A productive woman, like the ideal wife described in Proverbs 31.

2. A complement offered to a valued wife, whether or not she matches the woman of Proverbs 31.

Among many Christians, the ultimate compliment you can pay your wife is to call her a “Proverbs 31 woman.” Properly, it means she meets the bible’s standard (more precisely, Lemuel’s mother’s standard) for an ideal wife. But since people don’t bother to read their bibles, Christians included, they really just mean she’s a good Christian. Whether she’s actually productive is a whole other deal.

Yeah, I’ll quote the relative part. It’s not the whole of the chapter; just this bit.

Proverbs 31.10-31 KWL

10 A capable woman: Who’s found one? She’s worth far more than rubies.

11 Her husband’s heart trusts her, and he has no shortage of loot.

12 She pays him back with good, not evil, all her life’s days.

13 She asks for wool and flax. She’s happy to work with her hands.

14 She’s like a merchant ship: She imports food.

15 She rises when it’s still night. She provides meat for her house and her employees.

16 She organizes a field. She plants a vineyard with the fruit of her hands.

17 She belts herself with strength. She makes her arms strong.

18 She tastes her merchandise to make sure it’s good. Her lamp isn’t put out at night.

19 She puts her hands on the spindle. Her palms hold the distaff.

20 Her palms spread for the humble. Her hands reach out to the needy.

21 She doesn’t fear snow for her household: All her house are warmly clothed in red.

22 She knits herself tapestries. Her clothing is purple.

23 Her husband is recognized at the city gates. He sits with the land’s elders.

24 She makes and sells tunics. She gives belts to Canaanites.

25 Her clothing is strength and honor. She will relax in days to come.

26 Her mouth is opened in wisdom. The Law of kindness is on her tongue.

27 She watches the goings-on of her house. She doesn’t eat bread idly.

28 Her children rise and call her happy. Her husband praises her:

29 “Many daughters do well, but you surpass all of them!”

30 Grace can be false. Loveliness is useless. A woman who respects the LORD will be praised.

31 Give her back the fruit of her hands, and her deeds will praise her in the city gates.

Check it out. Only once does her devotion to God come up; in verse 30. And no doubt her good deeds are the result of loving God and wanting to excel for his sake. But the bulk of this passage is about the fact this woman works. Works hard. Gets stuff done, and does it well.