Proverbi 31

1 Le parole del re Lemuel; il sermone profetico, col quale sua madre l’ammaestrò.
2 CHE, figliuol mio? Che, figliuolo del seno mio? E che, figliuolo de’ miei voti?
3 Non dar la tua forza alle donne, Nè i tuoi costumi a ciò che è per distruggere i re.
4 Ei non si conviene ai re, o Lemuel, Ei non si conviene ai re d’esser bevitori di vino, Nè a’ principi d’esser bevitori di cervogia;
5 Che talora eglino, avendo bevuto, non dimentichino gli statuti, E non pervertano il diritto di qualunque povero afflitto.
6 Date la cervogia al miserabile, E il vino a quelli che sono in amaritudine d’animo;
7 Acciocchè bevano, e dimentichino la lor miseria, E non si ricordino più de’ lor travagli.
8 Apri la tua bocca per lo mutolo, Per mantenere la ragion di tutti quelli che sono in pericolo di perire.
9 Apri la tua bocca; giudica giustamente; Fa’ diritto al povero ed al bisognoso.
10 Chi troverà una donna di valore? Il prezzo di essa avanza di gran lunga quello delle perle.
11 Il cuor del suo marito si fida in lei; Ed egli non avrà giammai mancamento di veste.
12 Ella gli fa del bene, e non del male, Tutto il tempo della sua vita.
13 Ella cerca della lana e del lino, E lavora delle sue mani con diletto.
14 Ella è come le navi de’ mercatanti: Ella fa venire il suo pane da lungi.
15 Ella si leva, mentre è ancora notte, E dà il cibo alla sua famiglia, Ed ordina alle sue serventi il lor lavoro.
16 Ella considera un campo, e l’acquista; Ella pianta una vigna del frutto delle sue mani.
17 Ella si cinge i lombi di forza, E fortifica le sue braccia.
18 Perciocchè il suo traffico è buono, ella lo gusta; La sua lampana non si spegne di notte.
19 Ella mette la mano al fuso, E le sue palme impugnano la conocchia.
20 Ella allarga la mano all’afflitto, E porge le mani al bisognoso.
21 Ella non teme della neve per la sua famiglia; Perciocchè tutta la sua famiglia è vestita a doppio.
22 Ella si fa de’ capoletti; Fin lino, e porpora sono il suo vestire.
23 Il suo marito è conosciuto nelle porte, Quando egli siede con gli anziani del paese.
24 Ella fa de’ veli, e li vende; E delle cinture, le quali ella dà a’ mercatanti.
25 Ella è vestita di gloria e d’onore; E ride del giorno a venire.
26 Ella apre la bocca con sapienza, E la legge della benignità è sopra la sua lingua.
27 Ella considera gli andamenti della sua casa, E non mangia il pan di pigrizia.
28 I suoi figliuoli si levano, e la predicano beata, Il suo marito anch’egli, e la loda;
29 Dicendo: Molte donne si son portate valorosamente; Ma tu le sopravanzi tutte.
30 La grazia è cosa fallace, e la bellezza è cosa vana; Ma la donna che ha il timor del Signore sarà quella che sarà lodata.
31 Datele del frutto delle sue mani; E lodinla le sue opere nelle porte.

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Proverbi 31 Commentary

Chapter 31

An exhortation to king Lemuel to take heed of sin, and to do duties. (1-9) The description of a virtuous woman. (10-31)

Verses 1-9 When children are under the mother's eye, she has an opportunity of fashioning their minds aright. Those who are grown up, should often call to mind the good teaching they received when children. The many awful instances of promising characters who have been ruined by vile women, and love of wine, should warn every one to avoid these evils. Wine is to be used for want or medicine. Every creature of God is good, and wine, though abused, has its use. By the same rule, due praise and consolation should be used as cordials to the dejected and tempted, not administered to the confident and self-sufficient. All in authority should be more carefully temperate even than other men; and should be protectors of those who are unable or afraid to plead their own cause. Our blessed Lord did not decline the bitterest dregs of the cup of sorrow put into his hands; but he puts the cup of consolation into the hands of his people, and causes those to rejoice who are in the deepest distress.

Verses 10-31 This is the description of a virtuous woman of those days, but the general outlines equally suit every age and nation. She is very careful to recommend herself to her husband's esteem and affection, to know his mind, and is willing that he rule over her. 1. She can be trusted, and he will leave such a wife to manage for him. He is happy in her. And she makes it her constant business to do him good. 2. She is one that takes pains in her duties, and takes pleasure in them. She is careful to fill up time, that none be lost. She rises early. She applies herself to the business proper for her, to women's business. She does what she does, with all her power, and trifles not. 3. She makes what she does turn to good account by prudent management. Many undo themselves by buying, without considering whether they can afford it. She provides well for her house. She lays up for hereafter. 4. She looks well to the ways of her household, that she may oblige all to do their duty to God and one another, as well as to her. 5. She is intent upon giving as upon getting, and does it freely and cheerfully. 6. She is discreet and obliging; every word she says, shows she governs herself by the rules of wisdom. She not only takes prudent measures herself, but gives prudent advice to others. The law of love and kindness is written in the heart, and shows itself in the tongue. Her heart is full of another world, even when her hands are most busy about this world. 7. Above all, she fears the Lord. Beauty recommends none to God, nor is it any proof of wisdom and goodness, but it has deceived many a man who made his choice of a wife by it. But the fear of God reigning in the heart, is the beauty of the soul; it lasts for ever. 8. She has firmness to bear up under crosses and disappointments. She shall reflect with comfort when she comes to be old, that she was not idle or useless when young. She shall rejoice in a world to come. She is a great blessing to her relations. If the fruit be good, the tree must have our good word. But she leaves it to her own works to praise her. Every one ought to desire this honour that cometh from God; and according to this standard we all ought to regulate our judgments. This description let all women daily study, who desire to be truly beloved and respected, useful and honourable. This passage is to be applied to individuals, but may it not also be applied to the church of God, which is described as a virtuous spouse? God by his grace has formed from among sinful men a church of true believers, to possess all the excellences here described.

Chapter Summary

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.

Proverbi 31 Commentaries

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