Proverbs 31:10-31

Description of a Worthy Woman

10 An ¹excellent wife, who can find? For her worth is far ²above jewels.

11 The heart of her husband trusts in her, And he will have no lack of gain.

12 She does him good and not evil All the days of her life.

13 She looks for wool and flax And works with her hands in delight.

14 She is like ³merchant ships; She brings her food from afar.

15 She ⁴rises also while it is still night And ⁵gives food to her household And portions to her maidens.

16 She considers a field and buys it; From her earnings * she plants a vineyard.

17 She ⁶girds herself with strength And makes her arms strong.

18 She senses that her gain is good; Her lamp does not go out at night.

19 She stretches out her hands to the distaff, And her hands grasp the spindle.

20 She ⁷extends her hand to the poor, And she stretches out her hands to the needy.

21 She is not afraid of the snow for her household, For all her household are ⁸clothed with scarlet.

22 She makes ⁹coverings for herself; Her clothing is ¹⁰fine linen and ¹¹purple.

23 Her husband is known ¹²in the gates, When he sits among the elders of the land.

24 She makes ¹³linen garments and sells them, And supplies belts to the tradesmen.

25 Strength and ¹⁴dignity are her clothing, And she smiles at the future *.

26 She ¹⁵opens her mouth in wisdom, And the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.

27 She looks well to the ways of her household, And does not eat the ¹⁶bread of idleness.

28 Her 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."

30 Charm is deceitful and beauty is vain, But a woman who ¹⁷fears the LORD, she shall be praised.

31 Give her the product of her hands, And let her works praise her in the gates.

Proverbs 31:10-31 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.

Cross References

• 1. Ruth 3:11; Proverbs 12:4; Proverbs 19:14
• 2. Job 28:18; Proverbs 8:11
• 3. Ezekiel 27:25
• 4. Proverbs 20:13; Romans 12:11
• 5. Luke 12:42
• 6. 1 Kings 18:46; 2 Kings 4:29; Job 38:3
• 7. Deuteronomy 15:11; Job 31:16-20; Proverbs 22:9; Romans 12:13; Ephesians 4:28
• 8. 2 Samuel 1:24
• 9. Proverbs 7:16
• 10. Genesis 41:42; Revelation 19:8, 14
• 11. Judges 8:26; Luke 16:19
• 12. Deuteronomy 16:18; Ruth 4:1, 11
• 13. Judges 14:12
• 14. 1 Timothy 2:9, 10
• 15. Proverbs 10:31
• 16. Proverbs 19:15
• 17. Psalms 112:1; Proverbs 22:4

Footnotes

• [a]. Lit "palms"
• [b]. Or "willingly"
• [c]. Or "prescribed tasks"
• [d]. Lit "the fruit of her palms"
• [e]. Lit "her loins"
• [f]. Lit "palms"
• [g]. Lit "spreads out her palm"
• [h]. Lit "gives"
• [i]. Lit "Canaanite"
• [j]. Lit "latter days"
• [k]. Or "law"
• [l]. Or "reverences"
• [m]. Lit "fruit"