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proverbs 31:10-31

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Proverbs 31:10-31

King James Version (KJV)

“In our prayers we talk to God, in our Bible study God talks to us, and we had better let God do most of the talking.”

— D.L. Moody

Scripture focus

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.

Proverbs 31:10-31 — KJV

Commentary

Commentary on Proverbs 31:10

Theological / Devotional

A virtuous woman. The next 22 verses are in the form of a skillful acrostic built around the Hebrew alphabet of 22 letters. Verse 10 begins with the first letter, v. 11 with the second, etc. A number of the psalms are similarly constructed (Ps. 9; 10; 25; 34; 37; 111; 112; 119; 145).

The “virtuous woman” is literally “a woman of power.” The LXX has gunaika andreian, literally, “a masculine woman,” meaning that she is strong, vigorous, and possesses excellent qualities. The Hebrew words may be interpreted as meaning, “a woman of firm character.”

By SdaBc