The Virtuous Wife

The Virtuous Wife

Who can find a virtuous wife? For her worth is far above rubies. The heart of her husband safely trusts her; so he will have no lack of gain. She does him good and not evil all the days of her life. She seeks wool and flax, and willingly works with her hands. She is like the merchant ships, she brings her food from afar. She also rises while it is yet night, and provides food for her household, and a portion for her maidservants. She considers a field and buys it; from her profits she plants a vineyard. She girds herself with strength, and strengthens her arms. She perceives that her merchandise is good, and her lamp does not go out by night. She stretches out her hands to the distaff, and her hand holds the spindle. She extends her hand to the poor, yes, she reaches out her hands to the needy. She is not afraid of snow for her household, for all her household is clothed with scarlet. She makes tapestry for herself; her clothing is fine linen and purple. Her husband is known in the gates, when he sits among the elders of the land. She makes linen garments and sells them, and supplies sashes for the merchants. Strength and honor are her clothing; she shall rejoice in time to come. She opens her mouth with wisdom, and on her tongue is the law of kindness. She watches over the ways of her household, and does not eat the bread of idleness. Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: “Many daughters have done well, but you excel them all.” Charm is deceitful and beauty is passing, but a woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised. Give her of the fruit of her hands, and let her own works praise her in the gates.

Saturday, May 11, 2013

Ruth #2

Boaz negotiates for the hand of Ruth 

(both men have Bronx accents)
BOAZ ---- (enters, strolls across stage)
MURRAY -- (follows) Morning, Boaz.
BOAZ ---- (stops, turns) Morning, Murray.
MURRAY -- So, who was that shicksa I saw you with last night?
BOAZ ---- Oh, her? She's a foreigner. You wouldn't be interested.
MURRAY -- Oh, but I would be interested, Boaz. She was gorgeous. That girl had more curves than a mountain road.
BOAZ ---- She's from Moab, Murray. You know the Moabites. They're all pagans.
MURRAY -- I wasn't exactly thinking of worshiping her gods, Boaz. If you know what I mean. (nudges)
BOAZ ---- She's a mama's girl, Murray. You marry the girl, you marry the mother.
MURRAY -- For a girl like that, I'd marry the grandmother too. So, what's her name?
BOAZ ---- Her name is Ruth.
MURRAY -- So, tell me more.
BOAZ ---- What's to tell?
MURRAY -- You're awfully tight-lipped about this girl, Boaz. I know you're sweet on her. She slept at your feet last night on the threshing floor. When a woman warms your feet, Boaz, it means she wants to warm your heart. So, tell me more.
BOAZ ---- She's living with her mother-in-law, Naomi.
MURRAY -- Naomi? Elimalech's wife?
BOAZ ---- Yes.
MURRAY -- He's back from Moab?
BOAZ ---- No. He died in Moab.
MURRAY -- So, Naomi's boys married Moabite women?
BOAZ ---- Yes, uh huh. But all her sons died in Moab too.
MURRAY -- Boaz, you sly dog.
BOAZ ---- What?
MURRAY -- No wonder you were so tight-lipped about her. Ruth is a relative of mine by marriage. That make me Ruth's kinsman redeemer.
BOAZ ---- Yes, I suppose it does.
MURRAY -- What were you going to do, try to marry Ruth without giving me first dibs on her?
BOAZ ---- Why, no, I...
MURRAY -- You sly dog. You knew I had first dibs on her.
BOAZ ---- Yes, I suppose you do. So, do you want to marry her?
MURRAY -- Yes, of course I want to marry little Ruthy.
BOAZ ---- There might be one little problem where you're concerned, Murray.
MURRAY -- Yeah, what's that?
BOAZ ---- She doesn't have any children by her dead husband.
MURRAY -- Yeah, so?
BOAZ ---- So what about your estate?
MURRAY -- My estate? What about my estate?
BOAZ ---- As her kinsman-redeemer, if you marry her and she has children, they inherit some of your estate.
MURRAY -- That happens whether I'm her kinsman or not. And by the time we're through, Boaz, I figure little Ruthy and I will have 8 or 10 little inheriters running around the house.
BOAZ ---- Yes, but as her kinsman redeemer, when she has babies, they will inherit the name of their dead father, according to the law.
MURRAY -- You mean, legally they're his kids, but they inherit my money? That's not fair.
BOAZ ---- Yes, but it's the law.
MURRAY -- On second thought, I'm not sure I like brunettes with gorgeous faces and nice figures. That could be distracting. Looks are way overrated.
BOAZ ---- So, you're not interested in Ruth?
MURRAY -- Interested? Yes. Serious? No.
BOAZ ---- So, you wouldn't mind if I married her?
MURRAY -- No. She's yours. (shakes hands) Take her off my hands with my congratulations, Boaz.
BOAZ ---- Thank you, Murray.
MURRAY -- Actually, now that I think of it, I don't know what good can possibly come from marrying a Moabite woman?
BOAZ ---- (exiting) The messiah perhaps?
MURRAY -- (laughs, exiting) The messiah. Boaz, you're such a kidder.
-Bob Snook-
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