Proverbs 31:25-31

25 Strength and ¹dignity are her clothing, And she smiles at the future *.

26 She ²opens 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 ³bread 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 ⁴fears the LORD, she shall be praised.

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

Proverbs 31:25-31 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. 1 Timothy 2:9, 10
• 2. Proverbs 10:31
• 3. Proverbs 19:15
• 4. Psalms 112:1; Proverbs 22:4

Footnotes

• [a]. Lit "latter days"
• [b]. Or "law"
• [c]. Or "reverences"
• [d]. Lit "fruit"