Proverbs

Proverbs 31 ©

1 Lemuel's lesson of temperance and chastity. 6 The afflicted are to be comforted, and the poor defended. 10 The praise and properties of a virtuous woman.

1

THE words of king aLemuel, the 1prophecy that his bmother taught him.

a v.4. ch. 10.1.
b 2Ti. 1.5; 3.15. ch. 1.8; 6.20.
2

cWhat, my son? and what, the son of my womb? and what, the son of my vows?

c 1Sa. 1.28. Is. 49.15.
3

dGive not thy strength unto women, nor thy ways eto that which destroyeth kings.

d ch. 5.9; 6.26; 7.26. Ho. 4.11,18.
e De. 17.17. 1Ki. 11.1.
4

It is fnot for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine; nor for princes strong drink:

f Ec. 10.17. Ho. 7.5. Hab. 2.5.
5

gLest they drink, and forget the law, and 2pervert the judgment 3of any of the afflicted.

g Ho. 4.11. Le. 10.9. De. 17.18.
6

hGive strong drink unto him that is ready to perish, and wine unto those that be 4of heavy hearts.

h Ps. 104.15. 1Ti. 5.23. Ju. 9.13.
7

Let him drink, and forget his poverty, and remember his misery no more.

8

iOpen thy mouth for the dumb in the cause of all 5such as are appointed to destruction.

i Job 29.15,16. Ps. 82.3,4; 79.11. 1Sa. 19.4. Es. 4.16.
9

Open thy mouth, jjudge righteously, and plead the cause of the poor and needy.

j Job 29.15,16. Is. 1.17. Le. 19.15. Ps. 58.1. De. 1.16. Is. 11.4. Zec. 7.9,10. Je. 22.3,16.
10

kWho can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.

k ch. 12.4; 18.22; 19.14. Ec. 7.28. Re. 12.1. Ca. 6.8,9.
11

The lheart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil.

l Ep. 5.23. Ac. 13.22. Lu. 1.6. 1Pe. 3.1-7.
12

She mwill do him good and not evil all the days of her life.

m 1Pe. 3.1,6. 1Co. 1.31; 10.31. 2Co. 13.8. Ps. 45.11. Ro. 14.8.
13

She nseeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands.

n Tit. 2.5. Phi. 2.12. 2Th. 3.12. Ps. 110.3.
14

She ois like the merchants' ships; she bringeth her food from afar.

o Mat. 13.45. Col. 3.1.
15

She priseth also while it is yet night, and giveth *meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens.

p Ro. 12.11. Lu. 12.42. Ac. 20.28. 2Ti. 4.2.
16

She qconsidereth a field, and 6buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard.

q Jos. 15.18,19. Mat. 13.44. Ca. 8.12; 4.16.
17

She rgirdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms.

r 1Pe. 1.13. 1Co. 16.13. Ep. 6.10. 2Ti. 2.1. Phi. 4.13.
18

She 7perceiveth that her merchandise is good: sher candle goeth not out by night.

s Mat. 5.16; 25.4. Phi. 2.15,16. Jn. 12.36.
19

She tlayeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the *distaff.

t Ex. 35.25,26. Tit. 2.12-14; 3.8.
20

She ustretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, 8she reacheth forth her hands to the needy.

u Ps. 41.1. ch. 19.17. He. 13.16.
21

She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household are clothed with 9scarlet.

22

She vmaketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple.

v 1Pe. 3.3,4. Ro. 13.14. 2Co. 1.12. Ac. 24.16.
23

Her husband is known win the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land.

w De. 16.18; 21.19; 22.24. Job 29.7. Mat. 19.28. Ru. 3.11; 4.1,2.
24

She xmaketh fine linen, and selleth it; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant.

x Re. 3.18; 19.8. v.13,19. Ep. 6.14,15.
25

yStrength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come.

y v.18. Ps. 132.16. Is. 12.1-6; 35.10; 60; 62.
26

She zopeneth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness.

z 1Pe. 3.1-6. Ps. 37.30. Col. 3.14; 4.6. 1Co. 13.3. Ep. 4.29; 5.2,3. Ca. 4.11; 7.9.
27

She alooketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness.

a 1Ti. 5.8,14. 1Th. 4.11. 2Th. 3.12. Jn. 6.27. 1Co. 15.58.
28

Her bchildren arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her.

b 1Ki. 2.19; 10.8. Ga. 4.26. Ca. 6.8,9. Lu. 1.28,29.
29

Many daughters 10have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all.

30

cFavour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but da woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised.

c Ps. 103.15,16. Ja. 1.11. Is. 40.6.
d Ec. 7.18; 12.13. Ps. 112.1-9; 128.1,2. Is. 3.10.
31

eGive her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates.

e Mat. 7.16-20. Ps. 128.2. Re. 14.13. 1Th. 2.10. 2Co. 1.12. Phi. 2.12,15,16.