Proverbs — Chapter 31

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1These are the words of King Lemuel—the burden that his mother taught him:

2What shall I say, O my son? What, O son of my womb? What, O son of my vows?

3Do not spend your strength on women or your vigor on those who ruin kings.

4It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine, or for rulers to crave strong drink,

5lest they drink and forget what is decreed, depriving all the oppressed of justice.

6Give strong drink to one who is perishing, and wine to the bitter in soul.

7Let him drink and forget his poverty, and remember his misery no more.

8Open your mouth for those with no voice, for the cause of all the dispossessed.

9Open your mouth, judge righteously, and defend the cause of the poor and needy.

10A wife of noble character, who can find? She is far more precious than rubies.

11The heart of her husband trusts in her, and he lacks nothing of value.

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

13She selects wool and flax and works with eager hands.

14She is like the merchant ships, bringing her food from afar.

15She rises while it is still night to provide food for her household and portions for her maidservants.

16She appraises a field and buys it; from her earnings she plants a vineyard.

17She girds herself with strength and shows that her arms are strong.

18She sees that her gain is good, and her lamp is not extinguished at night.

19She stretches out her hands to the distaff and grasps the spindle with her fingers.

20She opens her arms to the poor and reaches out her hands to the needy.

21When it snows, she has no fear for her household, for they are all clothed in scarlet.

22She makes coverings for her bed; her clothing is fine linen and purple.

23Her husband is known at the city gates, where he sits among the elders of the land.

24She makes linen garments and sells them; she delivers sashes to the merchants.

25Strength and honor are her clothing, and she can laugh at the days to come.

26She opens her mouth with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue.

27She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness.

28Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband praises her as well:

29“Many daughters have done noble things, but you surpass them all!”

30Charm is deceptive and beauty is fleeting, but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.

31Give her the fruit of her hands, and let her works praise her at the gates.

1The words of king Lemuel, the prophecy that his mother taught him.

2What, my son? and what, the son of my womb? and what, the son of my vows?

3Give not thy strength unto women, nor thy ways to that which destroyeth kings.

4It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine; nor for princes strong drink:

5Lest they drink, and forget the law, and pervert the judgment of any of the afflicted.

6Give strong drink unto him that is ready to perish, and wine unto those that be of heavy hearts.

7Let him drink, and forget his poverty, and remember his misery no more.

8Open thy mouth for the dumb in the cause of all such as are appointed to destruction.

9Open thy mouth, judge righteously, and plead the cause of the poor and needy.

10Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.

11The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil.

12She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life.

13She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands.

14She is like the merchants’ ships; she bringeth her food from afar.

15She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens.

16She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard.

17She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms.

18She perceiveth that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out by night.

19She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff.

20She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy.

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

22She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple.

23Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land.

24She maketh fine linen, and selleth it; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant.

25Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come.

26She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness.

27She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness.

28Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her.

29Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all.

30Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised.

31Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates.

1The words of king Lemuel; the oracle which his mother taught him.

2What, my son? and what, O son of my womb? And what, O son of my vows?

3Give not thy strength unto women, Nor thy ways to that which destroyeth kings.

4It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine; Nor for princes [to say], Where is strong drink?

5Lest they drink, and forget the law, And pervert the justice [due] to any that is afflicted.

6Give strong drink unto him that is ready to perish, And wine unto the bitter in soul:

7Let him drink, and forget his poverty, And remember his misery no more.

8Open thy mouth for the dumb, In the cause of all such as are left desolate.

9Open thy mouth, judge righteously, And minister justice to the poor and needy.

10A worthy woman who can find? For her price is far above rubies.

11The heart of her husband trusteth in her, And he shall have no lack of gain.

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

13She seeketh wool and flax, And worketh willingly with her hands.

14She is like the merchant-ships; She bringeth her bread from afar.

15She riseth also while it is yet night, And giveth food to her household, And their task to her maidens.

16She considereth a field, and buyeth it; With the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard.

17She girdeth her loins with strength, And maketh strong her arms.

18She perceiveth that her merchandise is profitable: Her lamp goeth not out by night.

19She layeth her hands to the distaff, And her hands hold the spindle.

20She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; Yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy.

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

22She maketh for herself carpets of tapestry; Her clothing is fine linen and purple.

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

24She maketh linen garments and selleth them, And delivereth girdles unto the merchant.

25Strength and dignity are her clothing; And she laugheth at the time to come.

26She openeth her mouth with wisdom; And the law of kindness is on her tongue.

27She looketh well to the ways of her household, And eateth not the bread of idleness.

28Her children rise up, and call her blessed; Her husband [also], and he praiseth her, [saying]:

29Many daughters have done worthily, But thou excellest them all.

30Grace is deceitful, and beauty is vain; [But] a woman that feareth Jehovah, she shall be praised.

31Give her of the fruit of her hands; And let her works praise her in the gates.

1The words of King Lemuel, an oracle that his mother taught him:

2O my son, O son of my womb, O son of my vows,

3do not give your strength to women, nor your ways to that which ruins kings.

4It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine or for rulers to crave strong drink,

5lest they drink and forget what is decreed and remove from all the poor their legal rights.

6Give strong drink to the one who is perishing and wine to those who are bitterly distressed;

7let them drink and forget their poverty, and remember their misery no more.

8Open your mouth on behalf of those unable to speak, for the legal rights of all the dying.

9Open your mouth, judge in righteousness, and plead the cause of the poor and needy.

10Who can find a wife of noble character? For her value is far more than rubies.

11Her husband’s heart has trusted her, and he does not lack the dividends.

12She has rewarded him with good and not harm all the days of her life.

13She sought out wool and flax, then worked happily with her hands.

14She was like the merchant ships; she would bring in her food from afar.

15Then she rose while it was still night, and provided food for her household and a portion to her female servants.

16She considered a field and bought it; from her own income she planted a vineyard.

17She clothed herself in might, and she strengthened her arms.

18She perceived that her merchandise was good. Her lamp would not go out in the night.

19She extended her hands to the spool, and her hands grasped the spindle.

20She opened her hand to the poor, and extended her hands to the needy.

21She would not fear for her household in winter, because all her household were clothed with scarlet,

22because she had made coverings for herself; and because her clothing was fine linen and purple.

23Her husband is well known in the city gate when he sits with the elders of the land.

24She made linen garments then sold them and traded belts to the merchants;

25her clothing was strong and splendid; and she laughed at the time to come.

26She has opened her mouth with wisdom, with loving instruction on her tongue.

27Watching over the ways of her household, she would not eat the bread of idleness.

28Her children have risen and called her blessed; her husband also has praised her:

29“Many daughters have done valiantly, but you have surpassed them all!”

30Charm is deceitful and beauty is fleeting. A woman who fears the Lord—she makes herself praiseworthy.

31Give her credit for what she has accomplished, and let her works praise her in the city gates.

1The words of king Lemuel; the revelation which his mother taught him.

2“Oh, my son! Oh, son of my womb! Oh, son of my vows!

3Don’t give your strength to women, nor your ways to that which destroys kings.

4It is not for kings, Lemuel; it is not for kings to drink wine; nor for princes to say, ‘Where is strong drink?’

5lest they drink, and forget the law, and pervert the justice due to anyone who is afflicted.

6Give strong drink to him who is ready to perish; and wine to the bitter in soul:

7Let him drink, and forget his poverty, and remember his misery no more.

8Open your mouth for the mute, in the cause of all who are left desolate.

9Open your mouth, judge righteously, and serve justice to the poor and needy.”

10Who can find a worthy woman? For her price is far above rubies.

11The heart of her husband trusts in her. He shall have no lack of gain.

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

13She seeks wool and flax, and works eagerly with her hands.

14She is like the merchant ships. She brings her bread from afar.

15She rises also while it is yet night, gives food to her household, and portions for her servant girls.

16She considers a field, and buys it. With the fruit of her hands, she plants a vineyard.

17She arms her waist with strength, and makes her arms strong.

18She perceives that her merchandise is profitable. Her lamp doesn’t go out by night.

19She lays her hands to the distaff, and her hands hold the spindle.

20She opens her arms to the poor; yes, she extends her hands to the needy.

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

22She makes for herself carpets of tapestry. Her clothing is fine linen and purple.

23Her husband is respected in the gates, when he sits among the elders of the land.

24She makes linen garments and sells them, and delivers sashes to the merchant.

25Strength and dignity are her clothing. She laughs at the time to come.

26She opens her mouth with wisdom. Faithful instruction is on her tongue.

27She looks well to the ways of her household, and doesn’t eat the bread of idleness.

28Her children rise up and call her blessed. Her husband also praises her:

29“Many women do noble things, but you excel them all.”

30Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain; but a woman who fears Yahweh, she shall be praised.

31Give her of the fruit of her hands! Let her works praise her in the gates!

Summary
Authorship & Background
Commentary
Videos
Articles
Reflection

Summary

King Lemuel recounts the wisdom his mother taught him about the dangers of wine, injustice, and misused strength for a king, and the responsibility to defend the poor and needy (vv. 1-9). The chapter closes with an acrostic poem, each verse beginning with a successive Hebrew letter, praising a capable, God-fearing wife — valued far above jewels, industrious in trade and household management, generous to the poor, wise in speech, and honored by her husband and children (vv. 10-31). Verse 30 sets the poem's true standard: charm and beauty are fleeting, but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.

Authorship & Background

Author: Primarily Solomon (1:1, 10:1, 25:1), with sections by Agur (ch.30) and King Lemuel (ch.31). Compiled over several centuries. Proverbs is wisdom literature — practical instruction for godly living. Hebrew title: 'Mishlei' — 'Proverbs/Comparisons.'
Historical Context: Chapter 31 has two distinct sections by a unique author. It opens with "the words of king Lemuel, the prophecy that his mother taught him" (v.1). King Lemuel is otherwise unidentified — some traditions equate him with Solomon (his mother being Bathsheba), others with an Arabian or North Arabian king. The term "massa" (oracle/prophecy) in v.1 may also indicate he was king of Massa, an Ishmaelite territory (cf. Genesis 25:14). What is remarkable is that this is a mother's instruction to a king — a queen mother shaping her son's character and reign. Verses 1-9 contain her warnings against women, wine, and neglect of justice. Verses 10-31 form the famous "Virtuous Woman" acrostic poem — "eshet chayil" (woman of valor). This is an alphabetic acrostic: each of the 22 verses (10-31) begins with a successive letter of the Hebrew alphabet, from aleph to tav. The acrostic form indicates this is a carefully composed literary masterpiece — a comprehensive, A-to-Z portrait of feminine excellence. It is not a checklist of duties but a celebration of character. The poem crowns the entire book of Proverbs: wisdom, personified as a woman throughout chapters 1-9, now takes flesh as a real woman who embodies everything the book has taught.
Classification: Wisdom Literature
Key Themes: the book's final chapter attributed entirely to a mother instructing her son the king, three times naming their relationship before a single piece of advice is given, what, my son, and what, the son of my womb, wine withheld specifically from a ruler who might forget the law and pervert judgment for the afflicted, an oracle that closes by reducing itself to advocacy, open thy mouth for the dumb, plead the cause of the poor and needy, and an acrostic poem describing a wife whose strength is explicitly commercial, she considereth a field, and buyeth it, closing the whole book on the very motto it opened with, but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised
A Mother's Oracle to a King (vv.1-2): The last chapter is attributed to a woman, the words of king Lemuel, the prophecy that his mother taught him, and it opens with the sound of somebody who has been waiting to speak: what, my son? and what, the son of my womb? and what, the son of my vows? Three times the relationship is named before any instruction is given, and the third names a vow, which suggests the child was asked for.
Give Not Thy Strength Unto Women (v.3): One verse, and the warning is put in terms of expenditure rather than morality, give not thy strength unto women, nor thy ways to that which destroyeth kings. The phrase that which destroyeth kings is doing the work: this is advice to a ruler about what has historically ended reigns, not general counsel about appetite.
It Is Not for Kings to Drink Wine (vv.4-7): The prohibition is occupational rather than absolute, and the reason is given plainly, lest they drink, and forget the law, and pervert the judgment of any of the afflicted. A judge who has been drinking is the specific danger. Then the verses that have made this passage awkward for temperance readers ever since: give strong drink unto him that is ready to perish, and wine unto those that be of heavy hearts, let him drink, and forget his poverty, and remember his misery no more. Wine is taken away from the man with power and offered to the man with nothing.
Plead the Cause of the Dumb (vv.8-9): The oracle ends in two verses of instruction that read as the point of the whole speech: open thy mouth for the dumb, in the cause of all such as are appointed to destruction, open thy mouth, judge righteously, and plead the cause of the poor and needy. The mouth that was told to refuse wine in the previous verses is told what to do instead. A mother's advice to a king reduces to advocacy for people who cannot speak for themselves.
Her Worth and Her Husband's Trust (vv.10-12): The poem that closes Proverbs is an acrostic, one verse for each of the twenty-two letters of the Hebrew alphabet, which is why it moves between topics without transitions. It opens with a question about scarcity, who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies, and the phrase used of her is eshet chayil, where chayil is a military word for strength or capability. The husband's position is described in terms of confidence rather than authority, the heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil.
Her Industry and Enterprise (vv.13-19,24): The longest strand of the poem, and what it describes is a business. She seeketh wool and flax, she is like the merchants' ships, she riseth while it is yet night and giveth meat to her household. Then a transaction in her own name, she considereth a field, and buyeth it, with the profits of her hands she planteth a vineyard. Her arms are described as strong, she layeth her hands to the spindle, and the later verse in the same strand records her selling, she maketh fine linen and girdles, and delivereth them to the merchant. Nothing here is domestic in the sense of being confined to a house.
Her Generosity (v.20): One verse placed in the middle of the account of her trading, and the placing is the argument. She stretcheth out her hand to the poor, yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy. The same hands that hold the spindle and take the profit are described reaching outward, and the poem does not treat the two as separate virtues.
Her Preparation and Dignity (vv.21-23,25): Provision described as foresight rather than wealth, she is not afraid of the snow for her household, for all her household are clothed with scarlet. Then her own clothing, coverings of tapestry, silk and purple, which the poem states without apology. Her husband's standing in the gate is credited to her in the same strand. And the summary verse, strength and honour are her clothing, and she shall rejoice in time to come, which describes her wardrobe twice, once in fabric and once in character.
Her Wisdom and Kindness (vv.26-27): Two verses about speech and oversight. She openeth her mouth with wisdom, and in her tongue is the law of kindness, which is the only place in the poem she is described as teaching. Then she looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness. The book that opened with a father's instruction ends by describing a woman whose speech carries law.
Her Praise and the Fear of the LORD (vv.28-31): The praise comes from inside the house first, her children arise up, and call her blessed, her husband also, and he praiseth her, and his words are quoted, many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all. Then the verse that reaches back to the motto of chapter 1 and closes the book on it, favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised. The last instruction is public rather than private, give her of the fruit of her hands, and let her own works praise her in the gates, which is the same city gate where wisdom was crying in chapter 1.

Commentary

  • Enduring Word (David Guzik): enduringword.com Guzik emphasizes that the Proverbs 31 woman is not meant to produce guilt but to celebrate what godly womanhood looks like when the fear of the LORD is its foundation. He notes: "This is not a daily to-do list but a lifetime portrait. No woman does all these things in a single day — this is the accumulated testimony of a life lived in wisdom and faithfulness." On v.30, Guzik connects the acrostic to the book's central theme: "The entire book of Proverbs began with 'the fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom' (1:7). It ends with a woman who FEARS the LORD and receives praise. The book's theology is embodied in a person — wisdom incarnate in a real life." On the queen mother's instruction (vv.1-9), he notes the influence of a godly mother on a future king: "The most powerful man in the nation was shaped by his mother's words."
  • Jamieson-Fausset-Brown (1871): blueletterbible.org A critical and explanatory commentary on the whole Bible, more concise than Matthew Henry and closer to the Hebrew and Greek, with attention to historical and geographical detail. Public domain.
  • Matthew Henry's Exposition (1710): blueletterbible.org A devotional verse-by-verse commentary in the Puritan tradition, still among the most widely read three centuries on. Public domain.

Videos

Proverbs Sermon: Who is the Proverbs 31 Woman?
Spoken Gospel

Proverbs 31 | The Worthy Woman | Bible Study
Spoken Gospel

The Mark of a Truly Great Woman - Proverbs 31 Explained
David Guzik

Articles

  • GotQuestions.org: gotquestions.org What the closing poem is and is not asking of a reader.
  • GotQuestions.org: gotquestions.org On the whole book: an overview of the book of Proverbs -- who wrote it, when, why, and how it fits the rest of Scripture.

Links open on the publisher's own site. Nothing here is reproduced on this page.

Reflection

  • A Mother's Warning to a King (vv.1-3) — Lemuel's mother warns him against giving his strength to women who ruin kings and against habits that cloud his judgment. What counsel from someone who loves you have you been tempted to brush aside because it wasn't what you wanted to hear?
  • Speaking Up for Those Who Can't (vv.8-9) — The king is told to open his mouth for the mute and defend the rights of the poor and needy. Where do you have influence you're not using on behalf of someone who has none?
  • A Trust That Doesn't Need Watching (vv.10-12) — This woman's worth is beyond jewels because her husband can trust her completely and she does him good, not harm, all her life. Are you building the kind of trustworthiness that lets the people who depend on you rest easy?
  • Generosity That Costs Something (v.20) — She opens her hand to the poor and reaches out to the needy as a regular part of her life, not an occasional afterthought. Is generosity something you plan for, or only something you do when it's convenient?
  • Laughing at the Future (v.25) — Clothed in strength and dignity, she can face what's coming without fear because of how she has lived and prepared. What would it take for you to face your own uncertain future with that kind of confidence instead of anxiety?
  • What Actually Endures (v.30) — Charm and beauty are called deceptive and fleeting, but a woman who fears the LORD is the one who is truly praised. Are you investing in what fades or in what will still matter decades from now?