Farewell Service

Hymns, readings and a printed program for a Christian funeral

Proverbs 31:10–31

A Bible reading for a funeral, with the full text in the King James Version and the Douay-Rheims.

Reads in about 3 minutes22 versesProtestant

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King James Version

  1. 10Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.
  2. 11The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil.
  3. 12She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life.
  4. 13She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands.
  5. 14She is like the merchants’ ships; she bringeth her food from afar.
  6. 15She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens.
  7. 16She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard.
  8. 17She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms.
  9. 18She perceiveth that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out by night.
  10. 19She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff.
  11. 20She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy.
  12. 21She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household are clothed with scarlet.
  13. 22She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple.
  14. 23Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land.
  15. 24She maketh fine linen, and selleth it; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant.
  16. 25Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come.
  17. 26She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness.
  18. 27She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness.
  19. 28Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her.
  20. 29Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all.
  21. 30Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised.
  22. 31Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates.

Douay-Rheims

  1. 10Who shall find a valiant woman? far, and from the uttermost coasts is the price of her.
  2. 11The heart of her husband trusteth in her, and he shall have no need of spoils.
  3. 12She will render him good, and not evil all the days of her life.
  4. 13She hath sought wool and flax, and hath wrought by the counsel of her hands.
  5. 14She is like the merchant’s ship, she bringeth her bread from afar.
  6. 15And she hath risen in the night, and given a prey to her household, and victuals to her maidens.
  7. 16She hath considered a field, and bought it: with the fruit of her hands she hath planted a vineyard.
  8. 17She hath girded her loins with strength, and hath strengthened her arm.
  9. 18She hath tasted, and seen that her traffic is good: her lamp shall not be put out in the night.
  10. 19She hath put out her hand to strong things, and her fingers have taken hold of the spindle.
  11. 20She hath opened her hand to the needy, and stretched out her hands to the poor.
  12. 21She shall not fear for her house in the cold of snow: for all her domestics are clothed with double garments.
  13. 22She hath made for herself clothing of tapestry: fine linen, and purple, is her covering.
  14. 23Her husband is honourable in the gates, when he sitteth among the senators of the land.
  15. 24She made fine linen, and sold it, and delivered a girdle to the Chanaanite.
  16. 25Strength and beauty are her clothing, and she shall laugh in the latter day.
  17. 26She hath opened her mouth to wisdom, and the law of clemency is on her tongue.
  18. 27She hath looked well on the paths of her house, and hath not eaten her bread idle.
  19. 28Her children rose up, and called her blessed: her husband, and he praised her.
  20. 29Many daughters have gathered together riches: thou hast surpassed them all.
  21. 30Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: the woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised.
  22. 31Give her of the fruit of her hands: and let her works praise her in the gates.

Most Catholic parishes in the US read the New American Bible. Read Proverbs 31 in the NABRE at usccb.org.

Where this reading is used

  • Protestant: a common funeral reading

Scripture: King James Version (1769 text) and Douay-Rheims Bible, Challoner revision (Project Gutenberg #1581); both public domain. Citation as listed in the VerseFlip funeral verses.