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Proverbs 31:17

17 She sets about her work vigorously; her arms are strong for her tasks.

Proverbs 31:17 in Other Translations

King James Version (KJV)
17 She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms.
English Standard Version (ESV)
17 She dresses herself with strength and makes her arms strong.
New Living Translation (NLT)
17 She is energetic and strong, a hard worker.
The Message Bible (MSG)
17 First thing in the morning, she dresses for work, rolls up her sleeves, eager to get started.
American Standard Version (ASV)
17 She girdeth her loins with strength, And maketh strong her arms.
GOD'S WORD Translation (GW)
17 She puts on strength like a belt and goes to work with energy.
Holman Christian Standard Bible (CSB)
17 She draws on her strength and reveals that her arms are strong.
New International Reader's Version (NIRV)
17 She gets ready to work hard. Her arms are strong.

Proverbs 31:17 Meaning and Commentary

Proverbs 31:17

She girdeth her loins with strength
Showing her readiness to every good work; and with what cheerfulness, spirit, and resolution, she set about it, and with what dispatch and expedition she performed it: the allusion is to the girding and tucking up of long garments, wore in the eastern countries, when any work was set about in earnest, which required dispatch; see ( Luke 17:8 ) ( 12:35 ) ; the strength of creatures being in their loins, ( Job 40:16 ) ; the loins are sometimes put for strength, as in Plautus F18; and the sense is much the same with what follows; and strengtheneth her arms;
does all she finds to do with all her might and main, as the church does; not in her own strength, but in the strength of Christ; to whom she seeks for it, and in whose strength she goes forth about her business; by whom the arms of her hands are made strong, even by the mighty God of Jacob; and because she thus applies to him for it, she is said to do it herself, ( Genesis 49:24 ) ( Philippians 4:13 ) ; here she plays the man, and acts the manly part, ( 1 Corinthians 16:13 ) .


FOOTNOTES:

F18 "Lumbos defractos velim", Stichus, Act. 2. Sc. 1. v. 37.

Proverbs 31:17 In-Context

15 She gets up while it is still night; she provides food for her family and portions for her female servants.
16 She considers a field and buys it; out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.
17 She sets about her work vigorously; her arms are strong for her tasks.
18 She sees that her trading is profitable, and her lamp does not go out at night.
19 In her hand she holds the distaff and grasps the spindle with her fingers.
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