Proverbs 12:4

New English Translation

⁴A noble wife^[a] is the crown^[b] of her husband,
but the wife^[c] who acts shamefully is like rottenness in his bones.^[d]

Proverbs 12:4 tn Heb “a wife of virtue”; NAB, NLT “a worthy wife.” This noble woman (אֵשֶׁת־חַיִל, ʾeshet khayil) is the subject of Prov 31. She is a “virtuous woman” (cf. KJV), a capable woman of noble character. She is contrasted with the woman who is disgraceful (מְבִישָׁה, m^evishah; “one who causes shame”) or who lowers his standing in the community.
Proverbs 12:4 sn The metaphor of the “crown” emphasizes that such a wife is a symbol of honor and glory.
Proverbs 12:4 tn Heb “she”; the referent (the wife) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
Proverbs 12:4 sn The simile means that the shameful acts of such a woman will eat away her husband’s strength and influence and destroy his happiness.

New English Translation (NET)