Proverbs31
New American Standard
1The words of King Lemuel, the pronouncement which his mother taught him:
2What, my son? And what, son of my womb? And what, son of my vows?
3Do not give your strength to women, Or your ways to that which destroys kings.
4It is not for kings, Lemuel, It is not for kings to drink wine, Or for rulers to desire intoxicating drink,
5Otherwise they will drink and forget what is decreed, And pervert the rights of all the needy.
6Give intoxicating drink to one who is perishing, And wine to one whose life is bitter.
7Let him drink and forget his poverty, And remember his trouble no more.
8Open your mouth for the people who cannot speak, For the rights of all the unfortunate.
9Open your mouth, judge righteously, And defend the rights of the poor and needy.
10An excellent wife, who can find her? For her worth is far above jewels.
11The heart of her husband trusts in her, And he will have no lack of gain.
12She does him good and not evil All the days of her life.
13She looks for wool and linen, And works with her hands in delight.
14She is like merchant ships; She brings her food from afar.
15And she rises while it is still night And gives food to her household, And portions to her attendants.
16She considers a field and buys it; From her earnings she plants a vineyard.
17She surrounds her waist with strength And makes her arms strong.
18She senses that her profit is good; Her lamp does not go out at night.
19She stretches out her hands to the distaff, And her hands grasp the spindle.
20She extends her hand to the poor, And she stretches out her hands to the needy.
21She is not afraid of the snow for her household, For all her household are clothed with scarlet.
22She makes coverings for herself; Her clothing is fine linen and purple.
23Her husband is known in the gates, When he sits among the elders of the land.
24She makes linen garments and sells them, And supplies belts to the tradesmen.
25Strength and dignity are her clothing, And she smiles at the future.
26She opens her mouth in wisdom, And the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.
27She watches over the activities of her household, And does not eat the bread of idleness.
28Her children rise up and bless her; Her husband also, and he praises her, saying:
29“Many daughters have done nobly, But you excel them all.”
30Charm is deceitful and beauty is vain, But a woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised.
31Give her the product of her hands, And let her works praise her in the gates.
Study Guide
Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for Proverbs 31.
Chapter Summary
In this chapter: An exhortation to king Lemuel to take heed of sin, and to do duties. (1–9). The description of a virtuous woman. (10–31).
vv1-9
When children are under the mother's eye, she has an opportunity of fashioning their minds aright. Those who are grown up, should often call to mind the good teaching they received when children. The many awful instances of promising characters who have been ruined by vile women, and love of wine, should warn every one to avoid these evils. Wine is to be used for want or medicine. Every creature of God is good, and wine, though abused, has its use. By the same rule, due praise and consolation should be used as cordials to the dejected and tempted, not administered to the confident and self-sufficient. All in authority should be more carefully temperate even than other men; and should be protectors of those who are unable or afraid to plead their own cause. Our blessed Lord did not decline the bitterest dregs of the cup of sorrow put into his hands; but he puts the cup of consolation into the hands of his people, and causes those to rejoice who are in the deepest distress.
vv10-31
This is the description of a virtuous woman of those days, but the general outlines equally suit every age and nation. She is very careful to recommend herself to her husband's esteem and affection, to know his mind, and is willing that he rule over her. 1. She can be trusted, and he will leave such a wife to manage for him. He is happy in her. And she makes it her constant business to do him good. 2. She is one that takes pains in her duties, and takes pleasure in them. She is careful to fill up time, that none be lost. She rises early. She applies herself to the business proper for her, to women's business. She does what she does, with all her power, and trifles not. 3. She makes what she does turn to good account by prudent management. Many undo themselves by buying, without considering whether they can afford it. She provides well for her house. She lays up for hereafter. 4. She looks well to the ways of her household, that she may oblige all to do their duty to God and one another, as well as to her. 5. She is intent upon giving as upon getting, and does it freely and cheerfully. 6. She is discreet and obliging; every word she says, shows she governs herself by the rules of wisdom. She not only takes prudent measures herself, but gives prudent advice to others. The law of love and kindness is written in the heart, and shows itself in the tongue. Her heart is full of another world, even when her hands are most busy about this world. 7. Above all, she fears the Lord. Beauty recommends none to God, nor is it any proof of wisdom and goodness, but it has deceived many a man who made his choice of a wife by it. But the fear of God reigning in the heart, is the beauty of the soul; it lasts for ever. 8. She has firmness to bear up under crosses and disappointments. She shall reflect with comfort when she comes to be old, that she was not idle or useless when young. She shall rejoice in a world to come. She is a great blessing to her relations. If the fruit be good, the tree must have our good word. But she leaves it to her own works to praise her. Every one ought to desire this honour that cometh from God; and according to this standard we all ought to regulate our judgments. This description let all women daily study, who desire to be truly beloved and respected, useful and honourable. This passage is to be applied to individuals, but may it not also be applied to the church of God, which is described as a virtuous spouse? God by his grace has formed from among sinful men a church of true believers, to possess all the excellences here described.
Key Words
דָּבָר: a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
מֶלֶךְ: a king
לְמוּאֵל: Lemuel or Lemoel, a symbolic name of Solomon
מַשָּׂא: a burden; specifically, tribute, or (abstractly) porterage; figuratively, an utterance, chiefly adoom, especially singing; mental, desire
אֵם: a mother (as the bond of the family); in a wide sense (both literally and figuratively (like father))
יָסַר: to chastise, literally (with blows) or figuratively (with words); hence, to instruct
מָה: properly, interrogative what? (including how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and even relatively, that which); often used with prefixes in various adverbial or conjunctive senses
בַּר: the heir (apparent to the throne)
בֶּטֶן: the belly, especially the womb; also the bosom or body of anything
נֶדֶר: a promise (to God); also (concretely) a thing promised
Cross References
Proverbs 31Wine used to revive and comfort those in deep distress or physical decay.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
The worth of a virtuous woman, like wisdom, is far above rubies.
Supported by JFB
How excessive drink and sexual immorality take away the heart and ruin rulers.
Supported by JFB
Contrast between a virtuous woman, who is her husband's crown, and she who shames him.
Supported by JFB
While houses and riches are inherited, a prudent wife is a gift from Yahweh.
Supported by JFB
Favor and outward beauty are fleeting, but the inner hidden person of the heart remains.
Supported by JFB
Warnings against giving one's strength and years to destructive, ruinous lusts.
Supported by Matthew Poole
The deceptive, mocking, and raging nature of strong drink which enervates leaders.
Supported by JFB
Paul's command for younger women to manage the house, paralleling the virtuous woman's oversight.
Supported by JFB
Exhortation for women to be working at home, matching the industrious domestic care here.
Supported by JFB
Contrasts a beautiful woman without discretion with the enduring value of godly fear.
Supported by JFB
The messianic King who, like Lemuel, delivers the needy and those who have no helper.
Supported by JFB
The prophetic command to seek justice, reprove the oppressor, and defend the fatherless.
Supported by JFB
The gate as the place of legal judgment and civic authority where her husband sits.
Supported by JFB