Proverbs 31

1 The words of Lemuel, king of Massa: the teaching which he had from his mother.

2 What am I to say to you, O Lemuel, my oldest son? and what, O son of my body? and what, O son of my oaths?

3 Do not give your strength to women, or your ways to that which is the destruction of kings.

4 It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to take wine, or for rulers to say, Where is strong drink?

5 For fear that through drinking they may come to have no respect for the law, wrongly judging the cause of those who are in trouble.

6 Give strong drink to him who is near to destruction, and wine to him whose soul is bitter:

7 Let him have drink, and his need will go from his mind, and the memory of his trouble will be gone.

8 Let your mouth be open for those who have no voice, in the cause of those who are ready for death.

9 Let your mouth be open, judging rightly, and give right decisions in the cause of the poor and those in need.

10 Who may make discovery of a woman of virtue? For her price is much higher than jewels.

11 The heart of her husband has faith in her, and he will have profit in full measure.

12 She does him good and not evil all the days of her life.

13 She gets wool and linen, working at the business of her hands.

14 She is like the trading-ships, getting food from far away.

15 She gets up while it is still night, and gives meat to her family, and their food to her servant-girls.

16 After looking at a field with care, she gets it for a price, planting a vine-garden with the profit of her work.

17 She puts a band of strength round her, and makes her arms strong.

18 She sees that her marketing is of profit to her: her light does not go out by night.

19 She puts her hands to the cloth-working rod, and her fingers take the wheel.

20 Her hands are stretched out to the poor; yes, she is open-handed to those who are in need.

21 She has no fear of the snow for her family, for all those in her house are clothed in red.

22 She makes for herself cushions of needlework; her clothing is fair linen and purple.

23 Her husband is a man of note in the public place, when he takes his seat among the responsible men of the land.

24 She makes linen robes and gets a price for them, and traders take her cloth bands for a price.

25 Strength and self-respect are her clothing; she is facing the future with a smile.

26 Her mouth is open to give out wisdom, and the law of mercy is on her tongue.

27 She gives attention to the ways of her family, she does not take her food without working for it.

28 Her children get up and give her honour, and her husband gives her praise, saying,

29 Unnumbered women have done well, but you are better than all of them.

30 Fair looks are a deceit, and a beautiful form is of no value; but a woman who has the fear of the Lord is to be praised.

31 Give her credit for what her hands have made: let her be praised by her works in the public place.

PREVIOUS Proverbs 30 NEXT Ecclesiastes 1

Images for Proverbs 31

Proverbs 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.

Taken from Matthew Henry Commentary on the Whole Bible (Concise)

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.