Proverbs 31:15-25

15 She ¹rises while it is yet night and ²provides food for her household and portions for her maidens.

16 She considers a field and buys it; with the fruit of her hands she plants a vineyard.

17 She ³dresses herself^[a] with strength and makes her arms strong.

18 She perceives that her merchandise is profitable. Her lamp does not go out at night.

19 She puts her hands to the distaff, and her hands hold the spindle.

20 She ⁴opens her hand to ⁵the poor and reaches out her hands to ⁶the needy.

21 She is not afraid of snow for her household, for all her household are clothed in ⁷scarlet.^[b]

22 She makes ⁸bed coverings for herself; her clothing is ⁹fine linen and ¹⁰purple.

23 Her husband is known in ¹¹the gates when he sits among the elders of the land.

24 She makes ¹²linen garments and sells them; she delivers sashes to the merchant.

25 ¹³Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she laughs at the time to come.

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Proverbs 31:15-25 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

Cross References 13

1. [Proverbs 20:13]
2. Luke 12:42; [Psalms 111:5]
3. [ver. 25]
4. [Romans 12:13; Ephesians 4:28]
5. [ver. 9]
6. [ver. 9]
7. 2 Samuel 1:24
8. Proverbs 7:16
9. Genesis 41:42; Revelation 19:8, 14
10. Judges 8:26
11. See Ruth 4:1, 2
12. Judges 14:12; Isaiah 3:23
13. [ver. 17]

Footnotes 2

[a]. Hebrew She girds her loins
[b]. Or in double thickness

The English Standard Version is published with the permission of Good News Publishers.