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ProverbsChapter 31

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Show the poemAn alphabetical tribute (vv.10-31)

An acrostic poem describing a noble woman. Each verse begins with a new letter of the Hebrew alphabet. The poem praises diligence, wisdom, kindness, and reverence for God.

א Who can find

A wife of noble character—who can find her? She is worth far more than pearls.

v.10

ב A husband's heart

Her husband's heart trusts in her, and he lacks nothing of value.

v.11

ג She does him good

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

v.12

ד Wool and linen

She seeks out wool and flax, and her hands work with delight.

v.13

ה Like a ship

She is like a merchant's ships, bringing her food from far away.

v.14

ו Rises early

She rises while it is still night, sets food before her household, and gives portions to her servant girls.

v.15

ז Buys a field

She considers a field and buys it; from the fruit of her hands she plants a vineyard.

v.16

ח Girds herself with strength

She girds herself with strength and makes her arms strong.

v.17

ט Sees her work prospers

She sees that her trading is profitable; her lamp does not go out at night.

v.18

י Holds the distaff

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

v.19

כ Opens her hand

She opens her hand to the poor and reaches out to the needy.

v.20

ל Fears no snow

She has no fear of snow for her household, for all of them are clothed in scarlet.

v.21

מ Makes coverings

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

v.22

נ Her husband is known

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

v.23

ס Makes linen garments

She makes linen garments and sells them, and supplies the merchants with sashes.

v.24

ע Strength and dignity

Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she laughs at the days to come.

v.25

פ Opens her mouth

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

v.26

צ Watches over her ways

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

v.27

ק Her children rise up

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

v.28

ר Many have done well

"Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all."

v.29

ש Reverence for God

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

v.30

ת Give her

Give her the reward of her labor, and let her works praise her in the gates.

v.31
The words of Lemuel, king of Massa, which his mother taught him:
What shall I say, my son? What, son of my womb? What, son of my vows?
Do not give your strength to women, nor your ways to those who ruin kings.
It is not for kings, Lemuel—not for kings to drink wine, nor for rulers to crave strong drink,
lest they drink and forget the law, and pervert the justice due to all the afflicted.
Give strong drink to the one who is perishing, and wine to those in bitter distress.
Let them drink and forget their poverty, and remember their misery no more.
Open your mouth for the one who cannot speak, for the rights of all the destitute.
Open your mouth, judge righteously, defend the cause of the poor and needy.
A wife of noble character—who can find her? She is worth far more than pearls.
Her husband's heart trusts in her, and he lacks nothing of value.
She brings him good and not harm all the days of her life.
She seeks out wool and flax, and her hands work with delight.
She is like a merchant's ships, bringing her food from far away.
She rises while it is still night, sets food before her household, and gives portions to her servant girls.
She considers a field and buys it; from the fruit of her hands she plants a vineyard.
She girds herself with strength and makes her arms strong.
She sees that her trading is profitable; her lamp does not go out at night.
She reaches out her hands to the distaff and grasps the spindle with her fingers.
She opens her hand to the poor and reaches out to the needy.
She has no fear of snow for her household, for all of them are clothed in scarlet.
She makes coverings for her bed; her clothing is fine linen and purple.
Her husband is known in the gates, where he sits among the elders of the land.
She makes linen garments and sells them, and supplies the merchants with sashes.
Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she laughs at the days to come.
She opens her mouth with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue.
She watches over the ways of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness.
Her children rise and call her blessed; her husband praises her as well:
"Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all."
Charm is deceptive and beauty is fleeting, but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.
Give her the reward of her labor, and let her works praise her in the gates.
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