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Proverbs 31:4-14

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4 1It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings 2to drink wine, or for rulers to take 3strong drink,
5 lest they drink and forget what has been decreed and 4pervert the rights of all the afflicted.
6 Give strong drink to the one who 5is perishing, and wine to 6those in bitter distress; [a]
7 7let them drink and forget their poverty and remember their misery no more.
8 8Open your mouth for the mute, for the rights of all who are destitute. [b]
9 Open your mouth, 9judge righteously, 10defend the rights of 11the poor and needy.

The Woman Who Fears the Lord

10 [c] 12An excellent wife who can find? She is far more precious than 13jewels.
11 The heart of her husband trusts in her, and he will have no lack of gain.
12 She does him good, and not harm, all the days of her life.
13 She 14seeks wool and flax, and works with willing hands.
14 She is like the ships of the merchant; she brings her food from afar.
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Proverbs 31:4-14 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO PROVERBS 31

This chapter contains the last part of the book of Proverbs; which some reckon the fifth, others the sixth. It contains the instructions of the mother of a prince, whose name was Lemuel, which she gave unto him; and which are so valuable, as to be annexed to the proverbs of Solomon. The preface or introduction to them is in Pr 31:1; the address to her son, Pr 31:2. The vices she cautions him against are uncleanness and intemperance; which she dissuades from, because of the pernicious consequences of both to kings and to their subjects, Pr 31:3-5. Advises rather to give wine and strong drink to poor people, such as are in distress; as being more useful to them, at least less prejudicial, Pr 31:6,7; and exhorts her son to the duties of his office; by pleading the cause of the poor and injured, and administering justice to them, Pr 31:8,9. And then at large describes a virtuous woman; perhaps designed as an instruction to her son in the choice of a wife, Pr 31:10-31; though more than that may be intended by it.

Taken from John Gill's Exposition of the Bible
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Cross References 14

  • 1. 31:4 Eccles. 10:17; [1 Kgs. 16:9; 20:16]
  • 2. 31:4 [Hos. 4:11]
  • 3. 31:4 ch. 20:1
  • 4. 31:5 [Isa. 5:22, 23]
  • 5. 31:6 Job 29:13
  • 6. 31:6 Job 3:20
  • 7. 31:7 [Ps. 104:15]
  • 8. 31:8 Job 29:12, 15, 16; [Isa. 1:17]
  • 9. 31:9 Lev. 19:15; Deut. 1:16
  • 10. 31:9 Jer. 22:16; [Isa. 1:17]
  • 11. 31:9 ver. 20; Ps. 40:17; 86:1
  • 12. 31:10 ch. 12:4; Ruth 3:11; [ch. 18:22; 19:14]
  • 13. 31:10 Job 28:18
  • 14. 31:13 [ver. 21, 22, 24]

Footnotes 3

  • [a] 31:6 Hebrew 'those bitter in soul'
  • [b] 31:8 Hebrew 'are sons of passing away'
  • [c] 31:10 Verses 10–31 are an acrostic poem, each verse beginning with the successive letters of the Hebrew alphabet
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® (ESV®) © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. All rights reserved. ESV Text Edition: 2025

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