Proverbs 31:5-15

5 For they will drink and forget what is decreed, And ¹pervert the rights of all the afflicted.

6 Give strong drink to him who is ²perishing, And wine to him ³whose life is bitter.

7 Let him drink and forget his poverty And remember his trouble no more.

8 ⁴Open your mouth for the mute, For the rights of all the unfortunate *.

9 Open your mouth, ⁵judge righteously, And defend the ⁶rights of the afflicted and needy.

Description of a Worthy Woman

10 An ⁷excellent wife, who can find? For her worth is far ⁸above 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 ⁹merchant ships; She brings her food from afar.

15 She ¹⁰rises also while it is still night And ¹¹gives food to her household And portions to her maidens.

Proverbs 31:5-15 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. Exodus 23:6; Deuteronomy 16:19; Proverbs 17:15
• 2. Job 29:13
• 3. Job 3:20; Isaiah 38:15
• 4. Job 29:12-17; Psalms 82
• 5. Leviticus 19:15; Deuteronomy 1:16
• 6. Isaiah 1:17; Jeremiah 22:16
• 7. Ruth 3:11; Proverbs 12:4; Proverbs 19:14
• 8. Job 28:18; Proverbs 8:11
• 9. Ezekiel 27:25
• 10. Proverbs 20:13; Romans 12:11
• 11. Luke 12:42

Footnotes

• [a] Lit "judgment"
• [b] Lit "sons of affliction"
• [c] Lit "bitter of soul"
• [d] Lit "judgment"
• [e] Lit "sons of passing away"
• [f] Lit "judge the afflicted"
• [g] Lit "palms"
• [h] Or "willingly"
• [i] Or "prescribed tasks"