Proverbs 31:10 asks, Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.  I don't believe that this implies that there are few virtuous women, but is more a rhetorical question.  How many men look for a virtuous woman would be more the implication, or how many men finding one recognize her value.  We are to look beyond appearances and look to the character of a woman.  Verse eleven states, The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil.  A husband can trust a wife who is virtuous.  He need never wonder if she is doing something that will harm their relationship.  Verse twelve proclaims, She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life.  Her actions will not be just a one time or sometime thing, but will last a lifetime.  She will always do what is best for her husband and family.  Verse thirteen says, She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands.  We may not have a lot of weaving going on today, but we can say that a virtuous wife will do all that is necessary to ensure that her family is clothed well.  Verse fourteen states, She is like the merchants’ ships; she bringeth her food from afar.  Just as she does whatever she needs to do to clothe her family, she does the same to see that they are fed properly, even if she has to go out of her way to do so.  Verse fifteen states, She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens.  I realize that this is not what we often expect today, but a wife and mother should be willing to work long days to ensure that her family is properly cared for.  I believe that we should acknowledge that these are not things that a woman is required to do, but that these are things that a virtuous women will want to do.  (Of course, the husband and father should likewise put his wife and family above himself and do everything he can to help her and them.)  Verse sixteen says, She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard.  We see that she is more than just a housewife.  She wisely considers, buys, and utilizes things that will help her family.  Though we are no longer an agricultural nation in America, the concept would apply to doing those things necessary to improve the family situation.  Verse seventeen proclaims, She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms.  This tells us that a virtuous women is not concerned simply with looking good, but will do what she must to use her strength to help provide for her family.  Verse eighteen says, She perceiveth that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out by night.  She will make sure that what she buys is good, and that she has enough of the necessities to last through the night.  Verse nineteen states, She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff.  Again, we don't really spin cloth anymore, as a general rule, but I believe that we can say that she does what she must to keep the family clothed.  Verse twenty proclaims, She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy.  A virtuous woman is not just concerned with her family, but has compassion on the poor and needy as well.  This does not say that she simply helps them if they come to her, but that she reaches out to them.  Verse twenty-one says, She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household are clothed with scarlet.  She isn't afraid of cold weather, because she has her family clothed and prepared for it.  Verse twenty-two states, She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple.  Not only does the virtuous women provide for her family's needs, she provides for her own as well.  I don't believe that this means that she is vain about her looks, showing off, but that she simply wants to look her best.  Verse twenty-three states, Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land.  Her husband is well thought of, and is looked up too.  He sits among the elders, or those who rule over the people.  Verse twenty-four says, She maketh fine linen, and selleth it; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant.  Once more, this speaks of more than being just a wife and mother.  She helps provide for the family income.  I don't believe that this means that a wife and mother should do it all, but that she will willingly do everything she can to help her family.  Verse twenty-five declares, Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come.  I believe that this implies that she is strong in her faith in God, and because of this she will be honored by God,, and hopefully by her family and friends.  Verse twenty-six says, She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness.  A virtuous woman speaks with wisdom and kindness.  This pretty much eliminates gossip and unkind words.  Verse twenty-seven adds, She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness.  I believe this has already been stated in all the things she is said to do.  There is no room for idleness.  Verse twenty-eight proclaims, Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her.  She is loved and cherished by her family, I believe not so much because of what she does, but because of her character.  Verse twenty-nine concludes, Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all.  I don't believe this was speaking of a particular woman, but of any woman who lives a virtuous life dedicated to God and her family.  Verse thirty says, Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised.  If a woman lives just to please those around her and to look good while doing so, she will find these things to last but briefly.  True beauty comes from following God's will, and it is neither physical nor temporary.  Verse thirty-one proclaims, Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates.  I guess in today's society we might say these traits are outdated, but when done under God's guidance, even if they must be updated to really have meaning today, they are still God's guiding principles.  When a woman lives by these guidelines, she is due praise.