Proverbs 31
31
1The sayings of King Lemuel, a prophetic revelation, used by his mother to discipline him.
Advice to a Prince
2“What, my son?
What, son to whom I gave birth?
What, son of my prayers?
3Don’t give your strength to women
or your power to those who ruin kings.
4“It is not for kings, Lemuel.
It is not for kings to drink wine or for rulers to crave liquor.
5Otherwise, they drink and forget what they have decreed
and change the standard of justice for all oppressed people.
6Give liquor to a person who is dying
and wine to one who feels resentful.
7Such a person drinks
and forgets his poverty
and does not remember his trouble anymore.
8“Speak out for the one who cannot speak,
for the rights of those who are doomed.
9Speak out,
judge fairly,
and defend the rights of oppressed and needy people.”
A Poem in Hebrew Alphabetical Order
10“Who can find a wife with a strong character?
She is worth far more than jewels.
11Her husband trusts her with ⌞all⌟ his heart,
and he does not lack anything good.
12She helps him and never harms him all the days of her life.
13“She seeks out wool and linen ⌞with care⌟
and works with willing hands.
14She is like merchant ships.
She brings her food from far away.
15She wakes up while it is still dark
and gives food to her family
and portions of food to her female slaves.
16“She picks out a field and buys it.
She plants a vineyard from the profits she has earned.
17She puts on strength like a belt
and goes to work with energy.
18She sees that she is making a good profit.
Her lamp burns late at night.
19“She puts her hands on the distaff,
and her fingers hold a spindle.
20She opens her hands to oppressed people
and stretches them out to needy people.
21She does not fear for her family when it snows
because her whole family
has a double layer of clothing.
22She makes quilts for herself.
Her clothes are ⌞made of⌟ linen and purple cloth.
23“Her husband is known at the city gates
when he sits with the leaders of the land.
24“She makes linen garments and sells them
and delivers belts to the merchants.
25She dresses with strength and nobility,
and she smiles at the future.
26“She speaks with wisdom,
and on her tongue there is tender instruction.
27She keeps a close eye on the conduct of her family,
and she does not eat the bread of idleness.
28Her children and her husband
stand up and bless her.
In addition, he sings her praises, by saying,
29‘Many women have done noble work,
but you have surpassed them all!’
30“Charm is deceptive, and beauty evaporates,
⌞but⌟ a woman who has the fear of the Lord should be praised.
31Reward her for what she has done,
and let her achievements praise her at the city gates.”
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Proverbs 31
31
The Words of Lemuel
1The words of #31:1 The identity of King Lemuel is uncertain; however, ancient Jewish tradition connects Lemuel with Solomon.King Lemuel, the oracle, which his mother taught him:
2¶What, O my #31:2 This chapter consists of two poetic sections. The first (vv 2-9) details the qualities needed to be a wise ruler, and the second (vv 10-31) the qualities describing an excellent wife.son?
And what, O son of my womb?
And what [shall I advise you], O son of my vows?
3Do not give your [generative] strength to women [neither foreign wives in marriages of alliances, nor #31:3 See note Gen 22:24.concubines],
Nor your ways to that which destroys kings.
4It is not for kings, O Lemuel,
It is not for kings to drink wine,
Or for rulers to desire strong drink, [Eccl 10:17; Hos 4:11]
5Otherwise they drink and forget the law and its decrees,
And pervert the rights and justice of all the afflicted.
6Give strong drink [as medicine] to him who is ready to pass away,
And wine to him whose life is bitter.
7Let him drink and forget his poverty
And no longer remember his trouble.
8Open your mouth for the mute,
For the rights of all who are unfortunate and defenseless; [1 Sam 19:4; Esth 4:16; Job 29:15, 16]
9Open your mouth, judge righteously,
And administer justice for the afflicted and needy. [Lev 19:15; Deut 1:16; Job 29:12; Is 1:17; Jer 22:16]
Description of a Worthy Woman
10¶#31:10 The following verses are written as an acrostic poem (each of the twenty-two verses begins with a successive letter of the Hebrew alphabet). Aside from the artistry, the acrostic structure also aided memorization.An excellent woman [one who is spiritual, capable, intelligent, and virtuous], who is he who can find her?
Her value is more precious than jewels and her worth is far above rubies or pearls. [Prov 12:4; 18:22; 19:14]
11The heart of her husband trusts in her [with secure confidence],
And he will have no lack of gain.
12She comforts, encourages, and does him only good and not evil
All the days of her life.
13She looks for wool and flax
And works with willing hands in delight.
14She is like the merchant ships [abounding with treasure];
She brings her [household’s] food from far away.
15She rises also while it is still night
And gives food to her household
And assigns tasks to her maids. [Job 23:12]
16She considers a field before she buys or accepts it [expanding her business prudently];
With her profits she plants fruitful vines in her vineyard.
17She equips herself with strength [spiritual, mental, and physical fitness for her God-given task]
And makes her arms strong.
18She sees that her gain is good;
Her lamp does not go out, but it burns continually through the night [she is prepared for whatever lies ahead].
19She stretches out her hands to the #31:19 I.e. the staff that holds the textile fibers for spinning.distaff,
And her hands hold the spindle [as she spins wool into thread for clothing].
20She opens and extends her hand to the poor,
And she reaches out her filled hands to the needy.
21She does not fear the snow for her household,
For all in her household are clothed in [expensive] scarlet [wool]. [Josh 2:18, 19; Heb 9:19-22]
22She makes for herself coverlets, cushions, and rugs of tapestry.
Her clothing is linen, pure and fine, and purple [wool]. [Is 61:10; 1 Tim 2:9; Rev 3:5; 19:8, 14]
23Her husband is known in the [city’s] gates,
When he sits among the elders of the land. [Prov 12:4]
24She makes [fine] linen garments and sells them;
And supplies sashes to the merchants.
25Strength and dignity are her clothing and her position is strong and secure;
And she smiles at the future [knowing that she and her family are prepared].
26She opens her mouth in [skillful and godly] wisdom,
And the teaching of kindness is on her tongue [giving counsel and instruction].
27She looks well to how things go in her household,
And does not eat the bread of idleness. [1 Tim 5:14; Titus 2:5]
28Her children rise up and call her blessed (happy, prosperous, to be admired);
Her husband also, and he praises her, saying,
29“Many daughters have done nobly, and well [with the strength of character that is steadfast in goodness],
# 31:29 The source of this remarkable woman’s success and competence is revealed in v 30, and it is a source available to everyone. She is wise because she understands and puts into practice the message contained in 9:10. But you excel them all.”
30Charm and grace are deceptive, and [superficial] beauty is vain,
But a woman who fears the Lord [reverently worshiping, obeying, serving, and trusting Him with awe-filled respect], she shall be praised.
31Give her of the product of her hands,
And let her own works praise her in the gates [of the city]. [Phil 4:8]
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