Proverbs 31

I read Proverbs 31 in my Bible this morning and found an insert that just added a side note to explain the passage. "If we read this detailed description of the ideal wife and mother as the point-by-point standard God expects us to live up to, we're bound to feel overwhelmed and exhausted before we even begin! The intention of this epilogue to the book of Proverbs wasn't to give women an impossible to-do list, but to spread out before them the many opportunities they have to use their gifts, talents and wisdom in fulfilling and productive ways. Rather than limiting women's roles, they are expanded endlessly.  As women we are created to have a positive and profound impact on everyone around us-whether it be our husbands, children, parents, friends, clients, customers or society in general. Being a woman is a blessing, and being a wise, strong and dignified woman blesses others in ways that can't be calculated.





The Proverbs 31 Woman :

¹⁰An excellent wife, who can find?
For her worth is far above jewels.

rare, precious

¹¹The heart of her husband trusts in her,
And he will have no lack of gain.

trustworthy

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

kind

Her Character
as a Wife

¹³She looks for wool and flax
And works with her hands in delight.

works joyfully

¹⁴She is like merchant ships;
She brings her food from afar.

goes extra mile to get choicest goods

¹⁵She rises also while it is still night
And gives food to her household
And portions to her maidens.

disciplined

¹⁶She considers a field and buys it;
From her earnings she plants a vineyard.

enterprising, prudent with money

¹⁷She girds herself with strength
And makes her arms strong.

energetic

¹⁸She senses that her gain is good;
Her lamp does not go out at night.

good steward

¹⁹She stretches out her hands to the distaff,
And her hands grasp the spindle.

diligent

Her Devotion
as a Homemaker

²⁰She extends her hand to the poor,
And she stretches out her hands to the needy.

compassionate, generous

Her Generosity
as a Neighbor

²¹She is not afraid of the snow for her household,
For all her household are clothed with scarlet.

provident

²²She makes coverings for herself;
Her clothing is fine linen and purple.

elegant

²³Her husband is known in the gates,
When he sits among the elders of the land.

influential

²⁴She makes linen garments and sells them,
And supplies belts to the tradesmen.

industrious

Her Devotion
as a Homemaker

²⁵Strength and dignity are her clothing,
And she smiles at the future.

poised

²⁶She opens her mouth in wisdom,
And the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.

wise

Her Influence
as a Teacher

²⁷She looks well to the ways of her household,
And does not eat the bread of idleness.

manages her home

²⁸Her children rise up and bless her;
Her husband also, and he praises her, saying:

praiseworthy

²⁹"Many daughters have done nobly,
But you excel them all."

distinguished

Her Effectiveness
as a Mother

³⁰Charm is deceitful and beauty is vain,
But a woman who fears the LORD, she shall be praised.

God-fearing

31 Give her the product of her hands,
And let her works praise her in the gates.

Her Excellence
as a Person


~Proverbs 31:1-31