Proverbs
Chapter 31

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1 The wordes of King Lemuel, the prophecie that his mother taught him.

2 What, my sonne! and what, the sonne of my wombe! and what, the sonne of my vowes!

3 Giue not thy strength vnto women, nor thy wayes to that which destroyeth kings.

4 It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drinke wine, nor for Princes, strong drinke:

5 Lest they drinke, and forget the Law, and peruert the iudgement of any of the afflicted.

6 Giue strong drinke vnto him that is ready to perish, and wine vnto those that be of heauie hearts.

7 Let him drinke, and forget his pouertie, and remember his misery no more.

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

9 Open thy mouth, iudge righteously, and plead the cause of the poore and needy.

10 ¶ Who can finde a vertuous woman? for her price is farre aboue Rubies.

11 The heart of her husband doeth safely trust in her, so that he shall haue no need of spoile.

12 She will doe him good, and not euill, all the dayes of her life.

13 She seeketh wooll and flaxe, and worketh willingly with her hands.

14 She is like the merchants ships, she bringeth her food from afarre.

15 Shee riseth also while it is yet night, and giueth meate to her household, and a portion to her maydens.

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

17 She girdeth her loynes with strength, and strengtheneth her armes.

18 She perceiueth that her merchandise is good; her candle goeth not out by night.

19 She layeth her handes to the spindle, and her handes hold the distaffe.

20 She stretcheth out her hand to the poore, yea she reacheth foorth her handes to the needy.

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

22 She maketh herselfe couerings of tapestrie; her cloathing is silke and purple.

23 Her husband is knowen in the gates, when he sitteth among the Elders of the land.

24 She maketh fine linnen, and selleth it, and deliuereth girdles vnto the merchant.

25 Strength and honour are her cloathing; and she shall reioyce in time to come.

26 She openeth her mouth with wisedome; and in her tongue is the law of kindnesse.

27 She looketh well to the wayes of her housholde, and eateth not the bread of idlenesse.

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

29 Many daughters haue done vertuously, but thou excellest them all.

30 Fauour is deceitfull, and beautie is vaine: but a woman that feareth the Lord, she shalbe praised.

31 Giue her of the fruit of her hands, and let her owne workes praise her in the gates.

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Commentary for Proverbs 31

An exhortation to king Lemuel to take heed of sin, and to do duties. (1-9) The description of a virtuous woman. (10-31)1-9 When children are under the mother's eye, she has an opportunity of fashioning their minds aright. Those who are grown up, should often call to mind the good teaching they received when children. The many awful instances of promising characters who have been ruined by vile women, and love of wine, should warn every one to avoid these evils. Wine is to be used for want or medicine. Every creature of God is good, and wine, though abused, has its use. By the same rule, due praise and consolation should be used as cordials to the dejected and tempted, not administered to the confident and self-sufficient. All in authority should be more carefully temperate even than other men; and should be protectors of those who are unable or afraid to plead their own cause. Our blessed Lord did not decline the bitterest dregs of the cup of sorrow put into his hands; but he puts the cup of consolation into the hands of his people, and causes those to rejoice who are in the deepest distress.

10-31 This is the description of a virtuous woman of those days, but the general outlines equally suit every age and nation. She is very careful to recommend herself to her husband's esteem and affection, to know his mind, and is willing that he rule over her. 1. She can be trusted, and he will leave such a wife to manage for him. He is happy in her. And she makes it her constant business to do him good. 2. She is one that takes pains in her duties, and takes pleasure in them. She is careful to fill up time, that none be lost. She rises early. She applies herself to the business proper for her, to women's business. She does what she does, with all her power, and trifles not. 3. She makes what she does turn to good account by prudent management. Many undo themselves by buying, without considering whether they can afford it. She provides well for her house. She lays up for hereafter. 4. She looks well to the ways of her household, that she may oblige all to do their duty to God and one another, as well as to her. 5. She is intent upon giving as upon getting, and does it freely and cheerfully. 6. She is discreet and obliging; every word she says, shows she governs herself by the rules of wisdom. She not only takes prudent measures herself, but gives prudent advice to others. The law of love and kindness is written in the heart, and shows itself in the tongue. Her heart is full of another world, even when her hands are most busy about this world. 7. Above all, she fears the Lord. Beauty recommends none to God, nor is it any proof of wisdom and goodness, but it has deceived many a man who made his choice of a wife by it. But the fear of God reigning in the heart, is the beauty of the soul; it lasts for ever. 8. She has firmness to bear up under crosses and disappointments. She shall reflect with comfort when she comes to be old, that she was not idle or useless when young. She shall rejoice in a world to come. She is a great blessing to her relations. If the fruit be good, the tree must have our good word. But she leaves it to her own works to praise her. Every one ought to desire this honour that cometh from God; and according to this standard we all ought to regulate our judgments. This description let all women daily study, who desire to be truly beloved and respected, useful and honourable. This passage is to be applied to individuals, but may it not also be applied to the church of God, which is described as a virtuous spouse? God by his grace has formed from among sinful men a church of true believers, to possess all the excellences here described.

Commentary by Matthew Henry, 1710.

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