Verses 23-27 refer to the honor and status this woman gains from her skill, and the prosperity she and her family enjoy because of her wisdom.

“Her husband is known in the gates”: This verse speaks of the honor “Her husband” receives because of her reputation. In this context “known” has the sense of “well-known” (Revised English Bible, Good News Translation, Contemporary English Version) or “respected” (New International Version, New Jerusalem Bible). “In the gates” means among the leading citizens of the town or, as the next line suggests, as a member of the town assembly.

“When he sits among the elders of the land”: This says much the same as the previous line. “The land” probably does not refer to the whole country, but rather to the “town” or “city” (Contemporary English Version, Scott) where he lives, or perhaps the “region” (Revised English Bible).

Quoted with permission from Reyburn, William D. and Fry, Euan McG. A Handbook on Proverbs. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2000. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .