Proverbs 31:10-31- Christian Wives should strive to be an Excellent (Virtuous, and Worthy) Wife [Who fears the Lord]
KJV-
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.
Let’s take a look at how these verses of scripture read in other translations with some added notes:
NKJV-
The Virtuous Wife
10 Who can find a virtuous wife?For her worth is far above rubies.
11 The heart of her husband safely trusts her;
So he will have no lack of gain.
12 She does him good and not evil
All the days of her life.
(Here we are learning about her marriage and character as a wife. Her husband trusts her. He doesn't have to worry about what is going to happen to his resources. She has his best interest in mind. She shows her love and affection for him by her consistent stewardship, and service on his behalf. She is graciously submissive and advances his respect.)
(verses 13-24 does well at describing her behavior.)
13 She seeks wool and flax,
And willingly works with her hands.
14 She is like the merchant ships,
She brings her food from afar.
15 She also rises while it is yet night,
And provides food for her household,
And a portion for her maidservants.
16 She considers a field and buys it;
From her profits she plants a vineyard.
17 She girds herself with strength,
And strengthens her arms.
18 She perceives that her merchandise is good,
And her lamp does not go out by night.
19 She stretches out her hands to the distaff,
And her hand holds the spindle.
20 She extends her hand to the poor,
Yes, she reaches out her hands to the needy.
(She demonstrates compassion toward those not fortunate enough to be in her home.)
21 She is not afraid of snow for her household,
For all her household is clothed with scarlet.
22 She makes tapestry for herself;
Her clothing is fine linen and purple.
23 Her husband is known in the gates,
When he sits among the elders of the land.
24 She makes linen garments and sells them,
And supplies sashes for the merchants.
(Through these verses we learn about her devotion as a homemaker. Her main focus is the home. She loves being a homemaker. She adds productivity of the family. Her strength is the result of giving herself away to her household.)
(verses 25-27 emphasizes her character.)
25 Strength and honor are her clothing;
She shall rejoice in time to come.
26 She opens her mouth with wisdom,
And on her tongue is the law of kindness.
(Here we learn about her influence as a teacher in the home. It starts with her character. She's clothed with spiritual strength. She teaches with kindness, mercy, graciousness, gentleness, and compassion. She lives what she teaches.)
27 She watches over the ways of her household,
And does not eat the bread of idleness.
28 Her children rise up and call her blessed;
Her husband also, and he praises her:
(She's blessed as a mother. Her children reverence her. Her husband praises her. Verses 28-29 describe her family life.)
29 “Many daughters have done well,
But you excel them all.”
30 Charm is deceitful and beauty is passing,
But a woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised.
(Here we see her excellence as a woman of God. She fears the Lord and is a worshipper of God. Verses 30-31 summarize her spiritual life.)
31 Give her of the fruit of her hands,
And let her own works praise her in the gates.
ESV-
The Woman Who Fears the Lord
10. An excellent wife who can find?
She is far more precious than jewels.
11. The heart of her husband trusts in her,
and he will have no lack of gain.
12. She does him good, and not harm,
all the days of her life.
13. She seeks wool and flax,
and works with willing hands.
14. She is like the ships of the merchant;
she brings her food from afar.
15. She rises while it is yet night
and provides food for her household
and portions for her maidens.
16. She considers a field and buys it;
with the fruit of her hands she plants a vineyard.
17. She dresses herself with strength
and makes her arms strong.
18. She perceives that her merchandise is profitable.
Her lamp does not go out at night.
19. She puts her hands to the distaff,
and her hands hold the spindle.
20. She opens her hand to the poor
and reaches out her hands to the needy.
21. She is not afraid of snow for her household,
for all her household are clothed in scarlet.
22. She makes bed coverings for herself;
her clothing is fine linen and purple.
23. Her husband is known in the gates
when he sits among the elders of the land.
24. She makes linen garments and sells them;
she delivers sashes to the merchant.
25. Strength and dignity are her clothing,
and she laughs at the time to come.
26. She opens her mouth with wisdom,
and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.
27. She looks well to the ways of her household
and does not eat the bread of idleness.
28. Her children rise up and call her blessed;
her husband also, and he praises her:
29. “Many women have done excellently,
but you surpass them all.”
30. Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain,
but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.
31. Give her of the fruit of her hands,
and let her works praise her in the gates.
NASB-
Description of a Worthy Woman
10 An excellent wife, who can find?
For her worth is far above jewels.
11 The heart of her husband trusts in her,
And he will have no lack of gain.
12 She does him good and not evil
All the days of her life.
13 She looks for wool and flax
And works with her hands in delight.
14 She is like merchant ships;
She brings her food from afar.
15 She rises also while it is still night
And gives food to her household
And portions to her maidens.
16 She considers a field and buys it;
From her earnings she plants a vineyard.
17 She girds herself with strength
And makes her arms strong.
18 She senses that her gain is good;
Her lamp does not go out at night.
19 She stretches out her hands to the distaff,
And her hands grasp the spindle.
20 She extends her hand to the poor,
And she stretches out 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 makes coverings for herself;
Her clothing is fine linen and purple.
23 Her husband is known in the gates,
When he sits among the elders of the land.
24 She makes linen garments and sells them,
And supplies belts to the tradesmen.
25 Strength and dignity are her clothing,
And she smiles at the future.
26 She opens her mouth in wisdom,
And the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.
27 She looks well to the ways of her household,
And does not eat the bread of idleness.
28 Her children rise up and bless her;
Her husband also, and he praises her, saying:
29 “Many daughters have done nobly,
But you excel them all.”
30 Charm is deceitful and beauty is vain,
But a woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised.
31 Give her the product of her hands,
And let her works praise her in the gates.
AMP-
Description of a Worthy Woman
10 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.
11 The heart of her husband trusts in her [with secure confidence],
And he will have no lack of gain.
12 She comforts, encourages, and does him only good and not evil
All the days of her life.
13 She looks for wool and flax
And works with willing hands in delight.
14 She is like the merchant ships [abounding with treasure];
She brings her [household’s] food from far away.
15 She rises also while it is still night
And gives food to her household
And assigns tasks to her maids.
16 She considers a field before she buys or accepts it [expanding her business prudently];
With her profits she plants fruitful vines in her vineyard.
17 She equips herself with strength [spiritual, mental, and physical fitness for her God-given task]
And makes her arms strong.
18 She 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].
19 She stretches out her hands to the distaff,
And her hands hold the spindle [as she spins wool into thread for clothing].
20 She opens and extends her hand to the poor,
And she reaches out her filled hands to the needy.
21 She does not fear the snow for her household,
For all in her household are clothed in [expensive] scarlet [wool].
22 She makes for herself coverlets, cushions, and rugs of tapestry.
Her clothing is linen, pure and fine, and purple [wool].
23 Her husband is known in the [city’s] gates,
When he sits among the elders of the land.
24 She makes [fine] linen garments and sells them;
And supplies sashes to the merchants.
25 Strength 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].
26 She opens her mouth in [skillful and godly] wisdom,
And the teaching of kindness is on her tongue [giving counsel and instruction].
27 She looks well to how things go in her household,
And does not eat the bread of idleness (gossip, discontent, and self-pity).
28 Her 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],
But you excel them all.”
30 Charm 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.
31 Give her of the product of her hands,
And let her own works praise her in the gates [of the city].
*See also Proverbs 12:4, Proverbs 18:22, Proverbs 19:14, Proverbs 11:16, Proverbs 14:1,
1 Timothy 2:9-10, and 1 Thessalonians 4:11.
Let us pray to be Excellent wives for our husbands:
Dear Heavenly Father, Thank You for showing us in Your Word a description of an Excellent, Virtuous, Worthy wife. Although this was Solomon’s mother (Bathsheba) talking to him about the type of wife that’s fit for a king, there is much wisdom for us wives to glean from these character traits. Help us to be Excellent Wives to our own husbands. With the help of Your Holy Spirit in us we can be Excellent, Virtuous, and Worthy wives who fear the Lord. In Jesus’ name. Amen!
*Be sure to head over and read where I share Traits of an Excellent Wife.
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