Proverbs 31:10-31

10 A woman of excellence, who will find? For her worth [is] far more than precious jewels.

11 The heart of her husband trusts in her, and gain he will not lack.

12 She does him good, but not harm all the days of her life.

13 She seeks wool and flax, and she works with the diligence of {her hands}.

14 She is like the ships of a merchant; from far off she brings her food;

15 And she arises while [it is] still night, and gives food to her household, and tasks to her servant girls.

16 She considers a field and buys it, from the fruit of {her hand} she plants a vineyard.

17 She girds her waist in strength, and makes her arms strong.

18 She perceives that her merchandise [is] good; her lamp does not go out in the night.

19 Her hands she puts onto the distaff, and her palms hold a spindle.

20 Her palm she opens to the poor, and her hand she reaches [out] to the needy.

21 She does not fear for her house [when] it snows, for {her entire household} is clothed [in] crimson.

22 She makes for herself coverings; her clothing [is] fine linen and purple.

23 Her husband is known at the gates, in his seat among the elders of the land.

24 Linen garments she makes and sells, and she supplies sashes for the merchants.

25 Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she laughs {at the future}.

26 She opens her mouth with wisdom, and instruction of kindness [is] upon her tongue.

27 She looks after the ways of her household, and the bread of idleness she will not eat.

28 Her children rise and consider her happy, her husband [also], and he praises her;

29 "Many daughters have done excellence, but {you surpass} all of them."

30 Charm [is] deceit and beauty [is] vain; [but] a woman who fears Yahweh shall be praised.

31 Give to her from the fruit of her hand, and may they praise her works in the city 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.

Footnotes

• [a]. Or "wife"
• [b]. Or "strength," or "valor," or "ability," or "efficiency"
• [c]. Or "lord"
• [d]. Literally "her palms"
• [e]. Or "bread"
• [f]. Literally "her palm"
• [g]. A stick or spindle onto which wool or flax is wound in preparation for spinning
• [h]. Literally "all her house, household"
• [i]. Or "lord"
• [j]. Literally "to the day/time coming after"
• [k]. Or "lord"
• [l]. Or "strength," or "valor," or "ability," or "efficiency"
• [m]. Literally "you ascend over"
• [n]. Hebrew "The charm"
• [o]. Hebrew "the beauty"
• [p]. Or "vapor," or "emptiness," or "breath"