Proverbs 31:18

18 She sees that her trading is profitable, and her lamp does not go out at night.

Proverbs 31:18 in Other Translations

KJV
18 She perceiveth that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out by night.
ESV
18 She perceives that her merchandise is profitable. Her lamp does not go out at night.
NLT
18 She makes sure her dealings are profitable; her lamp burns late into the night.
MSG
18 She senses the worth of her work, is in no hurry to call it quits for the day.
CSB
18 She sees that her profits are good, and her lamp never goes out at night.

Proverbs 31:18 Meaning and Commentary

Proverbs 31:18

She perceiveth that her merchandise [is] good
That it turns to good account; that her trading to heaven is of great advantage; that she grows rich hereby; that her merchandise with Wisdom, or Christ, is better than the merchandise of silver, and the gain thereby than fine gold; and though her voyages are attended with trouble and danger, yet are profitable, and therefore she is not discouraged, but determined to pursue them; she is like the merchant man, seeking goodly pearls, who finds a pearl of great price, worth all his trouble; (See Gill on Proverbs 31:14) and see ( Proverbs 3:14 ) ( Matthew 13:45 Matthew 13:46 ) ; her candle goeth not out by night;
or "lamp" F19; her lamp of profession, which is always kept burning, ( Luke 12:35 ) ; or the glorious light of the Gospel, which always continues in the darkest times the church ever has been in; or her spiritual prosperity, which, though it may be damped, will never be extinct; when the candle of the wicked is often put out, ( Job 21:17 ) ; It may denote her diligence in working; who, as she rises early in the morning, ( Proverbs 31:15 ) , so sits up late at night, and is never weary of well doing, night and day. Ambrose interprets it of the lamp of hope, which burns in the night, and by and for which men work, ( Romans 8:24 ) ( 1 Corinthians 9:10 ) .


FOOTNOTES:

F19 (hrn) "lucerna ejus", V. L. Tigurine version, Michaelis, Schultens.

Proverbs 31:18 In-Context

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.
20 She opens her arms to the poor and extends her hands to the needy.
Scripture quoted by permission.  Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®.  NIV®.  Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica.  All rights reserved worldwide.