Proverbs 31:10-31

10 It is hard to find a good wife, because she is worth more than rubies.

11 Her husband trusts her completely. With her, he has everything he needs.

12 She does him good and not harm for as long as she lives.

13 She looks for wool and flax and likes to work with her hands.

14 She is like a trader's ship, bringing food from far away.

15 She gets up while it is still dark and prepares food for her family and feeds her servant girls.

16 She inspects a field and buys it. With money she earned, she plants a vineyard.

17 She does her work with energy, and her arms are strong.

18 She knows that what she makes is good. Her lamp burns late into the night.

19 She makes thread with her hands and weaves her own cloth.

20 She welcomes the poor and helps the needy.

21 She does not worry about her family when it snows, because they all have fine clothes to keep them warm.

22 She makes coverings for herself; her clothes are made of linen and other expensive material.

23 Her husband is known at the city meetings, where he makes decisions as one of the leaders of the land.

24 She makes linen clothes and sells them and provides belts to the merchants.

25 She is strong and is respected by the people. She looks forward to the future with joy.

26 She speaks wise words and teaches others to be kind.

27 She watches over her family and never wastes her time.

28 Her children speak well of her. Her husband also praises her,

29 saying, "There are many fine women, but you are better than all of them."

30 Charm can fool you, and beauty can trick you, but a woman who respects the Lord should be praised.

31 Give her the reward she has earned; she should be praised in public for what she has done.

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.