Eshet Chayil (or Aishes Chayil or אשת חיל) means “woman of valor.” It is from chapter 31 of Proverbs, which praises the woman. Each line begins with another letter of the Hebrew Alphabet. It is traditionally sung on Friday night, after the Shalom Aleichem hymn, in which angels are welcomed to our homes. It is followed by Kiddush and the Shabbat feast.

Read: Why Sing Eishet Chayil on Friday Night

Hebrew Transliteration:

Eshet chayil mee yimtza
Verachok mi’pninim michra
Batach ba lev baala
Veshalal lo yechsar

Gemelat’hu tov velo ra,
Kol yemay chayeha
Darsha tzemer ufishtim,
Vatas bechefetz kapeha

Hayta ka’aniyot socher,
Memerchak tavee lachma
Vatakem be’od layla,
Vateeten teref levayta vechok lenaroteha

Zamema sadeh vatikacheyhu,
Mepree chapeha nata karem
Chagra b’oz matneha,
Vateametz zro’oteha

Ta’ama kee tov sachra,
Lo yichbe balayla neyra
Yadeha shilcha bekishor,
Vechapeha tamchu falech

Kapa parsa le’ani,
Veyadeha shilcha le’evyon
Lo tira levayta meshaleg,
Kee chol vayta lavush shanim

Marvadim as’ta la,
Shesh várgaman levusha
Noda bashearim ba’la,
Beshivto im ziknei aretz

Sadin as’ta vatimkor,
Vachagor natna laknani
Oz vehadar levusha,
Vatischak leyom acharon

Piha patcha bechachma,
Vetorat chesed al leshona
Tzofiya halichot bayta,
Velechem atzlut lo tocheil

Kamu vaneha vay’ashruha,
Bala vayehal’la
Rabot banot asu chayil,
V’at alit al kulana

Sheker hachen,
Vehevel hayofi,
Isha yirat A-donay,
He tit’halal

Tnu la
Mipri yadeha, Vi’yhaleluha bashearim maseha

Translation:

A woman of valor, who can find? Far beyond pearls is her value. Her husband's heart trusts in her and he shall lack no fortune

She repays his good, but never his harm, all the days of her life. She seeks out wool and linen, and her hands work willingly

She is like a merchant's ships; from afar she brings her sustenance She rises while it is still nighttime, and gives food to her household and a ration to her maids

She considers a field and buys it; from the fruit of her handiwork she plants a vineyard. She girds her loins with might and strengthens her arms

She senses that her enterprise is good, so her lamp is not extinguished at night. She puts her hand to the distaff, and her palms support the spindle

She spreads out her palm to the poor and extends her hands to the destitute. She fears not snow for her household, for her entire household is clothed with scarlet wool

Bedspreads she makes herself; linen and purple wool are her clothing. Well-known at the gates is her husband as he sits with the elders of the land
Garments she makes and sells, and she delivers a belt to the peddler. Strength and splendor are her clothing, and smilingly she awaits her last day

She opens her mouth with Wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue. She anticipates the needs of her household, and the bread of idleness, she does not eat

Her children rise and celebrate her; and her husband, he praises her: "Many daughters have attained valor, but you have surpassed them all."

False is grace, and vain is beauty; a G‑d-fearing woman, she should be praised.

Give her the fruit of her hands, and she will be praised at the gates by her very own deeds.