Proverbs 5:15-19
Evangelical Heritage Version
Encouragement to Faithfulness in Marriage
15 Drink water from your own cistern.
Drink running water from your own well.
16 Why should the water from your springs flow out into the street,
your streams of water into the public squares?
17 They should be yours, yours alone.
They are not for strangers to share with you.
18 Let your fountain be blessed.
Obtain your joy from the wife you married in your youth,
19 who is a loving doe and a graceful deer.
Let her breasts satisfy you at all times.
Always be intoxicated with her love.
Proverbs 11:16
Evangelical Heritage Version
16 A gracious woman takes hold of honor,
but ruthless men take hold of riches.[a]
Footnotes
- Proverbs 11:16 The Greek text has a longer double proverb here: A gracious woman takes hold of honor, ⎣and she who hates virtue sets up a throne for dishonor. The lazy become destitute,⎦ but ruthless men take hold of riches.
Proverbs 11:22
Evangelical Heritage Version
22 The beauty of a woman who lacks moral judgment
is like a gold ring in a pig’s snout.
Proverbs 12:4
Evangelical Heritage Version
4 A wife with strong character is a crown to her husband,
but one who brings shame is like rot in his bones.
Proverbs 14:1
Evangelical Heritage Version
More Wise Ways to Live
14 A wise woman builds her house,
but a foolish one tears it down with her own hands.
Proverbs 18:22
Evangelical Heritage Version
22 The man who finds a wife finds a good thing,
and he obtains favor from the Lord.
Proverbs 21:9
Evangelical Heritage Version
9 Better to live on the corner of a roof
than in a house shared with a nagging wife.
Proverbs 21:19
Evangelical Heritage Version
19 Better to live in an arid region
than with a nagging, ill-tempered wife.
Proverbs 25:24
Evangelical Heritage Version
24 Better to live on the corner of a roof
than in a home shared with a nagging wife.
Proverbs 27:15-16
Evangelical Heritage Version
15 Constantly dripping water on a rainy day
and a nagging wife are alike.
16 Trying to hold her back is like holding back the wind,
like grasping oil with your right hand.[a]
Footnotes
- Proverbs 27:16 The verse is difficult. Literally it reads those who hide her hide the wind, and he calls his right hand oil.
Proverbs 30:18-19
Evangelical Heritage Version
18 Three things are too wonderful for me,
and four I cannot understand:
19 the way of an eagle in the sky,
the way of a snake on a rock,
the way of a ship on the high seas,
and the way of a man with a virgin.
Proverbs 31:10-31
Evangelical Heritage Version
The Strong Wife[a]
10 Who can find a wife with strong character?[b]
Her value is greater than that of gems.
11 Her husband’s heart trusts her,
and he never lacks wealth.[c]
12 She does good for him and not evil
all the days of her life.
13 She obtains wool and flax.
She eagerly works it with her hands.
14 She is like merchant ships.
She brings her food from far away.
15 She rises while it is still night.
She gives food[d] to her household.
She gives their share to her female servants.
16 She considers a field and acquires it.
From her own income,[e] she plants a vineyard.
17 She wraps strength around her waist like a belt,
and she makes her arms strong.
18 She realizes that she makes a good profit.
Her lamp does not go out at night.
19 She stretches out her hands for the distaff,
and the palms of her hands grasp the spindle.[f]
20 She opens the palm of her hand to the oppressed,
and she stretches out her hands to the needy.
21 She does not fear for her household on account of snow,
because her entire household is clothed in scarlet clothing.[g]
22 She makes bedspreads for herself.
Fine linen and purple cloth are her clothing.
23 Her husband is known at the city gates,
where he sits with the elders of the land.
24 She makes linen garments and sells them,
and she delivers belts to the merchants.
25 Strength and honor are her clothing,
and she laughs at the days to come.
26 She opens her mouth with wisdom,
and kind instruction is on her tongue.
27 She keeps a close eye on the conduct of her household,
and she does not eat bread that she did not work for.
28 Her children rise up and bless her.
Her husband rises up and praises her:
29 “Many daughters show strong character,
but you have surpassed all of them.”
30 Charm is deceptive, and beauty is vapor that vanishes,
but a woman who fears the Lord should be praised.
31 Give her credit for the fruit of her hands,
and let her accomplishments praise her in the city gates.
Footnotes
- Proverbs 31:10 This closing poem of the book is an alphabetic acrostic, which means successive verses begin with successive letters of the Hebrew alphabet. This gives an impression of covering every aspect of the topic from A to Z.
- Proverbs 31:10 Literally a woman of strength. The Hebrew term for strength may refer to economic power, political power, military power, or strong character. Here the emphasis is on her economic contribution to the family, which is a reflection of her dedication to her family and her community.
- Proverbs 31:11 The Hebrew word translated wealth usually refers to loot or spoils of war, not to regular income. Perhaps it highlights her strenuous effort.
- Proverbs 31:15 The word translated food usually refers to prey torn by animals, not to food for humans.
- Proverbs 31:16 Literally the fruit of her hands
- Proverbs 31:19 Distaff and spindle are implements used in spinning thread or yarn.
- Proverbs 31:21 Or, with the ancient versions, double clothing
The Holy Bible, Evangelical Heritage Version®, EHV®, © 2019 Wartburg Project, Inc. All rights reserved.