Who shall find a valiant woman? far and from the uttermost coasts is the price of her.11 The heart of her husband trusteth in her, and he shall have no need of spoils.12 She will render him good, and not evil, all the days of her life.13 She hath sought wool and flax, and hath wrought by the counsel of her hands.14 She is like the merchant’s ship, she bringeth her bread from afar.15 And she hath risen in the night, and given a prey to her household, and victuals to her maidens.16 She hath considered a field, and bought it: with the fruit of her hands she hath planted a vineyard.17 She hath girded her loins with strength, and hath strengthened her arm.18 She hath tasted and seen that her traffic is good: her lamp shall not be put out in the night.19 She hath put out her hand to strong things, and her fingers have taken hold of the spindle.20 She hath opened her hand to the needy, and stretched out her hands to the poor.21 She shall not fear for her house in the cold of snow: for all her domestics are clothed with double garments.22 She hath made for herself clothing of tapestry: fine linen, and purple is her covering.23 Her husband is honourable in the gates, when he sitteth among the senators of the land.24 She made fine linen, and sold it, and delivered a girdle to the Chanaanite.25 Strength and beauty are her clothing, and she shall laugh in the latter day.26 She hath opened her mouth to wisdom, and the law of clemency is on her tongue.27 She hath looked well to the paths of her house, and hath not eaten her bread idle.28 Her children rose up, and called her blessed: her husband, and he praised her.29 Many daughters have gathered together riches: thou hast surpassed them all.30 Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: the woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised.31 Give her of the fruit of her hands: and let her works praise her in the gates.
Why should we dwell upon the amount of evil there is in idleness, when the apostle clearly prescribes that he who does not work should not eat? As daily sustenance is necessary for everyone, so labor in proportion to one's strength is also essential. Not vainly has Solomon written in praise: "and she has not eaten her bread idle."
The kingdom of heaven is like unto a treasure hidden in a field. Which a man having found, hid it, and for joy thereof goeth, and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field.45 Again the kingdom of heaven is like to a merchant seeking good pearls.46 Who when he had found one pearl of great price, went his way, and sold all that he had, and bought it.47 Again the kingdom of heaven is like to a net cast into the sea, and gathering together of all kind of fishes.48 Which, when it was filled, they drew out, and sitting by the shore, they chose out the good into vessels, but the bad they cast forth.†49 So shall it be at the end of the world. The angels shall go out, and shall separate the wicked from among the just.50 And shall cast them into the furnace of fire: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.51 Have ye understood all these things? They say to him: Yes.52 He said unto them: Therefore every scribe instructed in the kingdom of heaven, is like to a man that is a householder, who bringeth forth out of his treasure new things and old.†
This treasure is indeed found without cost; for the Gospel preaching is open to all, but to use and possess the treasure with its field we may not without price, for heavenly riches are not obtained without the loss of this world.
Speaking to His disciples, He calls them Scribes on account of their knowledge, because they understood the things that He brought forward, both new and old, that is from the Law and from the Gospels; both being of the same householder, and both treasures of the same owner. He compares them to Himself under the figure of a householder, because they had received doctrine of things both new and old out of His treasury of the Holy Spirit.
About CSB. A personal translation of the New Testament, rendered directly from the public-domain Greek in a literary style — not a scholarly critical edition, and not for liturgical or doctrinal authority. It is one reader's work, offered for enjoyment; where it matters, weigh it against an established translation. (Placeholder text — final wording to come.)