The Instructor 3.11.67

spirit, which is very precious in the sight of God.” Working with their own hands most of all gives women genuine beauty, exercising their bodies and adorning themselves by their own efforts, not bringing in ornament worked by others, tasteless, unfree, and courtesan-like, but that of each self-controlled woman, practiced and woven by her own hands when she most needs it. For it is never fitting for women who live according to God to appear adorned with things bought in the market, but with their own household work. For the finest work is a housekeeping wife clothing herself and her husband with her own ornaments, in which all rejoice: the children in their mother, the husband in his wife, she in them, and all in God. In short, a valiant woman is a storehouse of virtue, who “did not eat the bread of idleness, and laws of mercy are on her tongue,” who “opened her mouth wisely and lawfully, whose children rose up and called her blessed,” as the holy Word says through Solomon, “and her husband praised her. For a godly woman is blessed; let her praise the fear of the Lord.” And again: “A valiant woman is a crown to her husband.”