Proverbs 31

The Sayings of King Lemuel

1 These are the sayings of King Lemuel. His mother taught them to him. She spoke them as if they came from God.

2 She said, "My son! My very own son! The son I prayed for!

3 Don't waste your strength on women. Don't waste it on those who destroy kings.

4 "Lemuel, it isn't good for kings to drink wine. It isn't good for rulers to long for beer.

5 If they do, they might drink and forget what the law commands. They might take away the rights of all those who are beaten down.

6 Give beer to those who are dying. Give wine to those who are sad and troubled.

7 Let them drink and forget how poor they are. Let them forget their suffering.

8 "Speak up for those who can't speak for themselves. Speak up for the rights of all those who are poor.

9 Speak up and judge fairly. Speak up for the rights of those who are poor and needy."

The Noble Wife

10 Who can find a noble wife? She is worth far more than rubies.

11 Her husband trusts her completely. She gives him all the important things he needs.

12 She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life.

13 She chooses wool and flax. She loves to work with her hands.

14 She is like the ships of traders. She brings her food from far away.

15 She gets up while it is still dark. She provides food for her family. She also gives some to her female servants.

16 She considers a field and buys it. She uses some of the money she earns to plant a vineyard.

17 She gets ready to work hard. Her arms are strong.

18 She sees that her trading earns a lot of money. Her lamp doesn't go out at night.

19 With one hand she holds the wool. With the other she spins the thread.

20 She opens her arms to those who are poor. She reaches out her hands to those who are needy.

21 When it snows, she's not afraid for her family. All of them are dressed in the finest clothes.

22 She makes her own bed coverings. She is dressed in fine linen and purple clothes.

23 Her husband is respected at the city gate. There he takes his seat among the elders of the land.

24 She makes linen clothes and sells them. She supplies belts to the traders.

25 She puts on strength and honor as if they were her clothes. She can laugh at the days that are coming.

26 She speaks wisely. She teaches faithfully.

27 She watches over family matters. She is busy all the time.

28 Her children stand up and call her blessed. Her husband also rises up, and he praises her.

29 He says, "Many women do noble things. But you are better than all the others."

30 Charm can fool you. Beauty fades. But a woman who has respect for the LORD should be praised.

31 Give her the reward she has earned. Let everything she has done bring praise to her at the city gate.

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.

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.