Proverbs 31:14-16

Proverbs 31:14
KJV - She is like the merchants' ships; she bringeth her food from afar.
NKJV - She is like the merchant ships, She brings her food from afar.
NIV - She is like the merchant ships, bringing her food from afar.

In the same way that merchant ships were valuable in providing people with goods from around the world, a wife of noble character is so valuable to her family, because she is responsible for providing them with food. It is doubtful that she traveled to faraway lands for food (as she was needed at home), but rather purchased a variety of foods that had been imported from various places.

Proverbs 31:15
KJV - She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens.
NKJV -  She also rises while it is yet night, And provides food for her household, And a portion for her maidservants.
NIV - She gets up while it is still dark; she provides food for her family and portions for her servant girls.

At the very least, it seems obvious that she woke up before the rest of her household to tend to some of the day's preparations. She prepared food for both her family and her servants. Of course, we do not have servants today, and most of the meals we make don't require hours and hours of preparation. Nevertheless, getting up early to get ready for the day is a good thing. Plus, it is a great opportunity to spend time with the Lord

Proverbs 31:16
KJV - She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard.
NKJV - She considers a field and buys it; From her profits she plants a vineyard.
NIV - She considers a field and buys it; out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.
     
The main idea here is that she considers a field. She is very thoughtful and wise about her decision. And notice that it doesn't say that she consulted with her husband. She made that decision on her own as far as we can tell. Can you imagine buying a piece of land`or a car without your husband's input? The only conclusion I can make is based on verses 11 and 12. Her husband has full confidence in her, and she only makes decisions that she knows will bring him good (prosperity, benefit, etc), and of which he will approve. That is some serious trusting!

It's hard to say if the earnings she used to plant a vineyard were from the field. Perhaps she planted a simple crop in the field, and used profits from selling the harvest to plant the vineyard. Regardless, a virtuous woman is thoughtful and informed when making financial decisions. She is savvy with her money.

***Proverbs 31:14-16 NIV - 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.***