Proverbs 31:9-20
English Standard Version
The Woman Who Fears the Lord
10 [a] (D)An excellent wife who can find?
She is far more precious than (E)jewels.
11 The heart of her husband trusts in her,
and he will have no lack of gain.
12 She does him good, and not harm,
all the days of her life.
13 She (F)seeks wool and flax,
and works with willing hands.
14 She is like the ships of the merchant;
she brings her food from afar.
15 She (G)rises while it is yet night
and (H)provides food for her household
and portions for her maidens.
16 She considers a field and buys it;
with the fruit of her hands she plants a vineyard.
17 She (I)dresses herself[b] with strength
and makes her arms strong.
18 She perceives that her merchandise is profitable.
Her lamp does not go out at night.
19 She puts her hands to the distaff,
and her hands hold the spindle.
20 She (J)opens her hand to (K)the poor
and reaches out her hands to (L)the needy.
Footnotes
- Proverbs 31:10 Verses 10–31 are an acrostic poem, each verse beginning with the successive letters of the Hebrew alphabet
- Proverbs 31:17 Hebrew She girds her loins
Proverbs 31:9-20
New International Version
9 Speak up and judge fairly;
defend the rights of the poor and needy.(A)
Epilogue: The Wife of Noble Character
10 [a]A wife of noble character(B) who can find?(C)
She is worth far more than rubies.
11 Her husband(D) has full confidence in her
and lacks nothing of value.(E)
12 She brings him good, not harm,
all the days of her life.
13 She selects wool and flax
and works with eager hands.(F)
14 She is like the merchant ships,
bringing her food from afar.
15 She gets up while it is still night;
she provides food for her family
and portions for her female servants.
16 She considers a field and buys it;
out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.
17 She sets about her work vigorously;
her arms are strong for her tasks.
18 She sees that her trading is profitable,
and her lamp does not go out at night.
19 In her hand she holds the distaff
and grasps the spindle with her fingers.
20 She opens her arms to the poor
and extends her hands to the needy.(G)
Footnotes
- Proverbs 31:10 Verses 10-31 are an acrostic poem, the verses of which begin with the successive letters of the Hebrew alphabet.
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
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