“旧约·箴言31∶10-31” 才德的妇人谁能得着呢?她的价值远胜过珍珠。她丈夫心里倚靠她,必不缺少利益;她一生使丈夫有益无损。她寻找羊绒和麻,甘心用手做工。她好像商船从远方运粮来,未到黎明她就起来,把食物分给家中的人,将当做的工分派婢女。她想得田地就买来,用手所得之利栽种葡萄园。她以能力束腰,使膀臂有力。她觉得所经营的有利,她的灯终夜不灭。她手拿捻线竿,手把纺线车。她张手周济困苦人,伸手帮补穷乏人。她不因下雪为家里的人担心,因为全家都穿着朱红衣服。她为自己制作绣花毯子,她的衣服是细麻和紫色布做的。她丈夫在城门口与本地的长老同坐,为众人所认识。她做细麻布衣裳出卖,又将腰带卖与商家。能力和威仪是她的衣服,她想到日后的景况就喜笑。她开口就发智慧,她舌上有仁慈的法则。她观察家务,并不吃闲饭。她的儿女起来称她有福,她的丈夫也称赞她,说:才德的女子很多,惟独你超过一切。艳丽是虚假的,美容是虚浮的,惟敬畏耶和华的妇女必得称赞。愿她享受操作所得的;愿她的工作在城门口荣耀她。
A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies。 Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value。 She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life。 She selects wool and flax and works with eager hands。 She is like the merchant ships, bringing her food from afar。 She gets up while it is still dark; she provides food for her family and portions for her servant girls。 She considers a field and buys it; out of her earnings she plants a vineyard。 She sets about her work vigorously; her arms are strong for her tasks。 She sees that her trading is profitable, and her lamp does not go out at night。 In her hand she holds the distaff and grasps the spindle with her fingers。 She opens her arms to the poor and extends her hands to the needy。 When it snows, she has no fear for her household; for all of them are clothed in scarlet。 She makes coverings for her bed; she is clothed in fine linen and purple。 Her husband is respected at the city gate, where he takes his seat among the elders of the land。 She makes linen garments and sells them, and supplies the merchants with sashes。 She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come。 She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue。 She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness。 Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her:“Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all。”Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised。
既然上帝造人设计为男女平等,因此,对女人的德才要求也和男人一样,不但要求女人应该是贤妻良母,还要多才多艺。这段经文栩栩如生地刻画出一个完美女人应该具有的品德和才学,她是超乎众人的贤妻良母,同时又是制造商、进口商、经理、房产经纪、农夫、裁缝、室内装修者及商人,是个百艺精通的女强人。
从《圣经》对女人的总体论述看,并非要求女人做“相夫教子”型的女人,而是要做“德才兼备”型的女人。女人只有具有谋生技能,自食其力,才能获得与男人平等的经济地位。只有经济独立,才能在其他权利方面与男人平等。所以,作为女人来讲,一定首先要独立起来,不能有依赖男人的思想。当然,独立需要有种自强不息的精神,要勇敢面对人生中遇到的困难,自强才能独立,独立才能自信,自信才能自由,自由才能自尊。正如培根所说,妻子是青年时代的情人,中年时代的伴侣,暮年时代的守护。
现代人多看重女人的容貌,《圣经》则更注重女人的德行和能力,认为女人单凭魅力和美丽没有多少价值,她充其量就是一幅画。女人的价值和男人一样,是通过劳动体现出来的,通过劳动创造物质财富和精神财富,这时的女人才能显现出她的魅力。