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Proverbs 31 :: Amplified Bible (AMP)

The Words of Lemuel

Pro 31:1

The words of [fn]King Lemuel, the oracle, which his mother taught him:

Pro 31:2

What, O my [fn]son?

And what, O son of my womb?

And what [shall I advise you], O son of my vows?

Pro 31:3

Do not give your [generative] strength to women [neither foreign wives in marriages of alliances, nor [fn]concubines],

Nor your ways to that which destroys kings.

Pro 31:4

It is not for kings, O Lemuel,

It is not for kings to drink wine,

Or for rulers to desire strong drink,

Pro 31:5

Otherwise they drink and forget the law and its decrees,

And pervert the rights and justice of all the afflicted.

Pro 31:6

Give strong drink [as medicine] to him who is ready to pass away,

And wine to him whose life is bitter.

Pro 31:7

Let him drink and forget his poverty

And no longer remember his trouble.

Pro 31:8

Open your mouth for the mute,

For the rights of all who are unfortunate and defenseless;

Pro 31:9

Open your mouth, judge righteously,

And administer justice for the afflicted and needy.

Description of a Worthy Woman

Pro 31:10

[fn]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.

Pro 31:11

The heart of her husband trusts in her [with secure confidence],

And he will have no lack of gain.

Pro 31:12

She comforts, encourages, and does him only good and not evil

All the days of her life.

Pro 31:13

She looks for wool and flax

And works with willing hands in delight.

Pro 31:14

She is like the merchant ships [abounding with treasure];

She brings her [household’s] food from far away.

Pro 31:15

She rises also while it is still night

And gives food to her household

And assigns tasks to her maids.

Pro 31:16

She considers a field before she buys or accepts it [expanding her business prudently];

With her profits she plants fruitful vines in her vineyard.

Pro 31:17

She equips herself with strength [spiritual, mental, and physical fitness for her God-given task]

And makes her arms strong.

Pro 31:18

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].

Pro 31:19

She stretches out her hands to the [fn]distaff,

And her hands hold the spindle [as she spins wool into thread for clothing].

Pro 31:20

She opens and extends her hand to the poor,

And she reaches out her filled hands to the needy.

Pro 31:21

She does not fear the snow for her household,

For all in her household are clothed in [expensive] scarlet [wool].

Pro 31:22

She makes for herself coverlets, cushions, and rugs of tapestry.

Her clothing is linen, pure and fine, and purple [wool].

Pro 31:23

Her husband is known in the [city’s] gates,

When he sits among the elders of the land.

Pro 31:24

She makes [fine] linen garments and sells them;

And supplies sashes to the merchants.

Pro 31:25

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].

Pro 31:26

She opens her mouth in [skillful and godly] wisdom,

And the teaching of kindness is on her tongue [giving counsel and instruction].

Pro 31:27

She looks well to how things go in her household,

And does not eat the bread of idleness.

Pro 31:28

Her children rise up and call her blessed (happy, prosperous, to be admired);

Her husband also, and he praises her, saying,

Pro 31:29

“Many daughters have done nobly, and well [with the strength of character that is steadfast in goodness],

[fn]But you excel them all.”

Pro 31:30

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.

Pro 31:31

Give her of the product of her hands,

And let her own works praise her in the gates [of the city].

AMP Footnotes
The identity of King Lemuel is uncertain; however, ancient Jewish tradition connects Lemuel with Solomon.
This chapter consists of two poetic sections. The first (vv 2-9) details the qualities needed to be a wise ruler, and the second (vv 10-31) the qualities describing an excellent wife.
See note Gen 22:24.
The following verses are written as an acrostic poem (each of the twenty-two verses begins with a successive letter of the Hebrew alphabet). Aside from the artistry, the acrostic structure also aided memorization.
I.e. the staff that holds the textile fibers for spinning.
The source of this remarkable woman’s success and competence is revealed in v 30, and it is a source available to everyone. She is wise because she understands and puts into practice the message contained in 9:10.
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Proverbs Chapter 31 — Additional Translations: