When Strength, Wisdom, and the Fear of the Lord Shape a Faithful Life.

Proverbs 31 begins with a mother’s solemn instruction to a king, warning him against moral weakness, clouded judgment, and the failure to defend the afflicted, and calling him instead to righteous rule and care for the poor and needy. The chapter then turns to the portrait of a virtuous woman whose life is marked by trustworthiness, diligence, wisdom, kindness, strength, and the fear of the Lord. Her worth is not grounded in outward charm, but in faithful character that blesses her household and bears fruit in public honor. The whole chapter joins godly leadership with godly womanhood under one larger message: true nobility is found in fearing the Lord, serving others faithfully, and walking in wisdom with strength and mercy. Read as a whole, Proverbs 31 calls the reader to a life of reverent character, useful love, disciplined responsibility, and works that openly testify to the goodness of God.

Proverbs 31:1 – 31:31

  1 The words of king Lemuel, the prophecy that his mother taught him.
  2 What, my son? and what, the son of my womb? and what, the son of my vows?
  3 Give not thy strength unto women, nor thy ways to that which destroyeth kings.
  4 [It is] not for kings, O Lemuel, [it is] not for kings to drink wine; nor for princes strong drink:
  5 Lest they drink, and forget the law, and pervert the judgment of any of the afflicted.
  6 Give strong drink unto him that is ready to perish, and wine unto those that be of heavy hearts.
  7 Let him drink, and forget his poverty, and remember his misery no more.
  8 Open thy mouth for the dumb in the cause of all such as are appointed to destruction.
  9 Open thy mouth, judge righteously, and plead the cause of the poor and needy.
  10 Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price [is] far above rubies.
  11 The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil.
  12 She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life.
  13 She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands.
  14 She is like the merchants’ ships; she bringeth her food from afar.
  15 She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens.
  16 She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard.
  17 She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms.
  18 She perceiveth that her merchandise [is] good: her candle goeth not out by night.
  19 She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff.
  20 She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy.
  21 She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household [are] clothed with scarlet.
  22 She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing [is] silk and purple.
  23 Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land.
  24 She maketh fine linen, and selleth [it]; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant.
  25 Strength and honour [are] her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come.
  26 She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue [is] the law of kindness.
  27 She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness.
  28 Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband [also], and he praiseth her.
  29 Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all.
  30 Favour [is] deceitful, and beauty [is] vain: [but] a woman [that] feareth the Lord, she shall be praised.
  31 Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates.