Provérbios 31

Ditados do Rei Lemuel

1 Ditados do rei Lemuel; uma exortação que sua mãe lhe fez:^[a]

2 “Ó meu filho, filho do meu ventre,filho de meus votos,^[b]

3 não gaste sua força com mulheres,seu vigor com aquelas que destroem reis.

4 “Não convém aos reis, ó Lemuel;não convém aos reis beber vinho,não convém aos governantes desejar bebida fermentada,

5 para não suceder que bebam e se esqueçam do que a lei determinae deixem de fazer justiça aos oprimidos.

6 Dê bebida fermentada aos que estão prestes a morrer,vinho aos que estão angustiados;

7 para que bebam e se esqueçam da sua pobreza,e não mais se lembrem da sua infelicidade.

8 “Erga a voz em favor dos que não podem defender-se,seja o defensor de todos os desamparados.

9 Erga a voz e julgue com justiça;defenda os direitos dos pobres e dos necessitados”.^[c]

Epílogo: A Mulher Exemplar

10 Uma esposa exemplar; feliz quem a encontrar!É muito mais valiosa que os rubis.

11 Seu marido tem plena confiança nelae nunca lhe falta coisa alguma.

12 Ela só lhe faz o bem, e nunca o mal,todos os dias da sua vida.

13 Escolhe a lã e o linhoe com prazer trabalha com as mãos.

14 Como os navios mercantes,ela traz de longe as suas provisões.

15 Antes de clarear o dia ela se levanta,prepara comida para todos os de casae dá tarefas às suas servas.

16 Ela avalia um campo e o compra;com o que ganha planta uma vinha.

17 Entrega-se com vontade ao seu trabalho;seus braços são fortes e vigorosos.

18 Administra bem o seu comércio lucrativo,e a sua lâmpada fica acesa durante a noite.

19 Nas mãos segura o fusoe com os dedos pega a roca.

20 Acolhe os necessitadose estende as mãos aos pobres.

21 Não teme por seus familiares quando chega a neve,pois todos eles vestem agasalhos.^[d]

22 Faz cobertas para a sua cama;veste-se de linho fino e de púrpura.

23 Seu marido é respeitado na porta da cidade,onde toma assento entre as autoridades da sua terra.

24 Ela faz vestes de linho e as vende,e fornece cintos aos comerciantes.

25 Reveste-se de força e dignidade;sorri diante do futuro.

26 Fala com sabedoriae ensina com amor.

27 Cuida dos negócios de sua casae não dá lugar à preguiça.

28 Seus filhos se levantam e a elogiam;seu marido também a elogia, dizendo:

29 “Muitas mulheres são exemplares,mas você a todas supera”.

30 A beleza é enganosa, e a formosura é passageira;mas a mulher que teme o SENHOR será elogiada.

31 Que ela receba a recompensa merecida,e as suas obras sejam elogiadas à porta da cidade.

Provérbios 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.

Footnotes

• [a]. Ou "Ditados de Lemuel, rei de Massá, os quais sua mãe lhe ensinou:"
• [b]. Ou "resposta às minhas orações,"
• [c]. Os versículos 10-31 são um poema organizado em ordem alfabética, no hebraico.
• [d]. Ou "roupas vermelhas"

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.