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Proverbs 31

1

The words of king Lemuel, the prophecy that his mother taught him.

1
2

What, my son? and what, the son of my womb? and what, the son of my vows?

3

Give not thy strength unto women, nor thy ways to that which destroyeth kings.

4

It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine; nor for princes strong drink:

5

Lest they drink, and forget the law, and pervert the judgment of any of the afflicted.

6

Give strong drink unto him that is ready to perish, and wine unto those that be of heavy hearts.

7

Let him drink, and forget his poverty, and remember his misery no more.

8

Open thy mouth for the dumb in the cause of all such as are appointed to destruction.

9

Open thy mouth, judge righteously, and plead the cause of the poor and needy.

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10

Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.

11

The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil.

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12

She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life.

13

She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands.

14

She is like the merchants’ ships; she bringeth her food from afar.

15

She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens.

16

She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard.

17

She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms.

18

She perceiveth that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out by night.

19

She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff.

20

She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy.

21

She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household are clothed with scarlet.

22

She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple.

23

Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land.

24

She maketh fine linen, and selleth it; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant.

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25

Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come.

26

She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness.

27

She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness.

28

Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her.

29

Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all.

30

Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised.

31

Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates.

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Proverbs 31

Chapter 31 concludes the book with two sections: the words of King Lemuel taught to him by his mother, emphasizing the dangers of excess, the importance of justice for the vulnerable, and the role of the righteous ruler; and an extended acrostic poem celebrating the capable wife. The first section warns the king against wine and strong drink that might cloud his judgment in administering justice, and exhorts him to speak for those who cannot speak for themselves, to judge the afflicted and destitute with righteousness. The second and more elaborate section presents a portrait of the capable wife (Hebrew: eshet chayil), who is more precious than jewels, in whom her husband trusts, and who brings him good all the days of her life. The wife of chapter 31 is depicted as industrious—rising while still dark to provide food for her household, working with her hands, trading, and managing a household's complex economics—and as dignified, kind, and wise in speech. Memorable images include her hands clothed with strength, her arms strengthened for her tasks; her lamp burning through the night; the flowing fabric that she works and sells; and her children and husband rising up to call her blessed. The portrait culminates with the assertion that many women have done excellently but she surpasses them all, and that charm is deceitful and beauty is vain but a woman who fears the LORD deserves praise. Chapter 31 completes the book by showing how Proverbian wisdom extends to the highest levels of governance and family management, presenting the capable wife as embodying all the virtues—diligence, prudence, generosity, piety, and domestic stewardship—that the book has celebrated throughout.

Proverbs 31:1

Do not spend your strength on women, your vigor on those who ruin kings—a warning against sexual excess and association with corrupting women, establishing restraint in desire. The theological significance involves the principle of wisdom in managing passions.

Proverbs 31:2

It is not for kings, O Lemuel—not for kings to drink wine, not for rulers to crave beer—a warning against drunkenness in leadership, establishing that impaired judgment in power is catastrophic. The theological significance involves the principle of the necessity of clarity in authority.

Proverbs 31:3

Lest they drink and forget what has been decreed, and deprive all the oppressed of their rights—a statement of the consequence of drunken leadership: the poor lose access to justice. The theological significance involves the principle of leadership's responsibility to the vulnerable.

Proverbs 31:4

Let beer be for the perishing, wine for those who are in anguish; let them drink and forget their poverty and remember their misery no more—an acknowledgment that alcohol can serve a purpose for those in legitimate suffering, establishing discrimination in its use. The theological significance involves the principle of the legitimate uses of substances.

Proverbs 31:5

Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy—an exhortation to the ruler to advocate for the voiceless, establishing this as the core responsibility of power. The theological significance involves the principle of justice as the fundamental duty of authority.

Proverbs 31:6

A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies—the opening of the acrostic poem celebrating the capable woman, establishing her supreme value. The theological significance involves the principle of the preciousness of wise, virtuous partnership.

Proverbs 31:7

Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value—a statement of the security and completeness that a capable wife brings to a husband. The theological significance involves the principle of marital partnership as foundational to flourishing.

Proverbs 31:8

She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life—a declaration of the wife's commitment to the good of her husband, establishing faithfulness and virtue. The theological significance involves the principle of the covenantal nature of marriage.

Proverbs 31:9

She selects wool and flax and works with eager hands—a description of the capable woman's diligence in material production, establishing industry. The theological significance involves the principle of the dignity of domestic labor.

Proverbs 31:10

She is like the merchant ships, bringing her food from afar—a comparison of the capable woman to a merchant who ranges far for goods, establishing her resourcefulness. The theological significance involves the principle of economic wisdom.

Proverbs 31:11

She gets up while it is still night; she provides food for her family and portions for her female servants—a description of the capable woman's early rising and provision, establishing her care and generosity. The theological significance involves the principle of the servant-leader mindset.

Proverbs 31:12

She considers a field and buys it; out of her earnings she plants a vineyard—a statement of the capable woman's business acumen and investment, establishing economic independence. The theological significance involves the principle of wisdom in financial management.

Proverbs 31:13

She sets about her work vigorously; her arms are strong for her tasks—a description of the capable woman's strength and energy, establishing the physical dimension of her capability. The theological significance involves the principle of the body as instrument of virtue.

Proverbs 31:14

She sees that her trading is profitable, and her lamp does not go out at night—a statement of the capable woman's profitable business and diligent work, establishing the combination of enterprise and persistence. The theological significance involves the principle of virtue rewarded with success.

Proverbs 31:15

In her hand she holds the distaff and grasps the spindle with her fingers—a description of the capable woman's work in textile production, establishing her participation in traditional craft. The theological significance involves the principle of dignity in traditional work.

Proverbs 31:16

She opens her arms to the poor and extends her hands to the needy—a statement of the capable woman's generosity despite her own labor, establishing that virtue includes compassion. The theological significance involves the principle of generosity as intrinsic to virtue.

Proverbs 31:17

When it snows, she has no fear for her household; for all of them are clothed in scarlet—a statement of the capable woman's provision ensuring family security and even comfort, establishing her care as protective. The theological significance involves the principle of provision as expression of love.

Proverbs 31:18

She makes coverings for her bed; she is clothed in fine linen and purple—a description of the capable woman's comfort and refinement, establishing that virtue includes the ability to enjoy beauty. The theological significance involves the principle of the legitimacy of aesthetic pleasure.

Proverbs 31:19

Her husband is respected at the city gate, where he takes his seat among the elders of the land—a statement of the capable woman's effect on her husband's standing, establishing that her virtue enhances his reputation. The theological significance involves the principle of mutual benefit in marriage.

Proverbs 31:20

She makes linen garments and sells them, and supplies the merchants with sashes—a description of the capable woman's business expansion, establishing that she is both producer and vendor. The theological significance involves the principle of economic initiative.

Proverbs 31:21

She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come—a statement of the capable woman's confidence and resilience, establishing that virtue produces psychological security. The theological significance involves the principle of the peace that flows from integrity.

Proverbs 31:22

She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue—a statement of the capable woman's wise speech, establishing that knowledge accompanies her activity. The theological significance involves the principle of the integration of word and deed.

Proverbs 31:23

She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness—a statement of the capable woman's vigilance and diligence, establishing that her effectiveness comes through attention. The theological significance involves the principle of the necessity of active care.

Proverbs 31:24

Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her—a culmination describing the capable woman's recognition and honor from both children and husband, establishing the relational fruit of her virtue. The theological significance involves the principle of blessing flowing from faithfulness.

Proverbs 31:25

'Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all.' Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised—the climax establishing that while many women do well, the woman who fears the LORD excels all, establishing fear of God as the source and crown of virtue. The theological significance involves the principle that reverence is the root of all excellence.

Proverbs 31:26

She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue—the woman of valor opens her mouth with wisdom and kindness, establishing that her excellence extends to moral and intellectual formation through truthful, life-giving speech.

Proverbs 31:27

She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness—vigilant management of domestic operations reflects her character and contrasts sharply with idleness, establishing the woman of valor as active agent in family prosperity.

Proverbs 31:28

Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her—the proverb establishes the woman of valor's legacy as received honor from those within her sphere, with both children and spouse testifying to her worth through spontaneous blessing.

Proverbs 31:29

Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all—the woman of valor's exceptional character is acknowledged, yet she is positioned among competitors, suggesting that while her distinction is real, it represents the highest manifestation of virtues accessible to all.

Proverbs 31:30

Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised—the proverb establishes that physical attractiveness and charisma lack enduring value, redirecting praise to the woman whose excellence flows from reverence toward God.

Proverbs 31:31

Give her the reward she has earned, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate—the woman of valor's labors produce public recognition, with the city gate as the site of communal acknowledgment and her virtue vindicated through social esteem.