Proverbs 5:18
New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition
18 Let your fountain be blessed,
and rejoice in the wife of your youth,(A)
Proverbs 5:18
International Standard Version
18 Let your fountain be blessed
and enjoy the wife of your youth.
Proverbs 12:4
New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition
4 A good wife is the crown of her husband,
but she who brings shame is like rottenness in his bones.(A)
Proverbs 12:4
International Standard Version
4 A virtuous woman is a crown to her husband,
but a wife[a] who puts him to shame is like bone cancer.[b]
Footnotes
- Proverbs 12:4 Lit. but she
- Proverbs 12:4 Lit. decay
Proverbs 18:22
New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition
22 He who finds a wife finds a good thing
and obtains favor from the Lord.(A)
Proverbs 18:22
International Standard Version
22 Whoever finds a wife finds what is good,
and receives favor from the Lord.
Proverbs 19:13-14
New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition
13 A stupid child is ruin to a father,
and a wife’s quarreling is a continual dripping of rain.(A)
14 House and wealth are inherited from parents,
but a prudent wife is from the Lord.(B)
Proverbs 19:13-14
International Standard Version
13 A father’s ruin is a foolish son,
and a wife’s quarreling is like[a] dripping water that never stops.
14 A house and self-sufficiency are a father’s inheritance,
but from the Lord comes an insightful wife.
Footnotes
- Proverbs 19:13 The Heb. lacks like
Proverbs 31:10-31
New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition
Ode to a Woman of Strength
10 A woman of strength who can find?
She is far more precious than jewels.(A)
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 seeks wool and flax
and works with willing hands.(B)
14 She is like the ships of the merchant;
she brings her food from far away.
15 She rises while it is still night
and provides food for her household
and tasks for her female servants.(C)
16 She considers a field and buys it;
with the fruit of her hands she plants a vineyard.
17 She girds herself 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 opens her hand to the poor
and reaches out her hands to the needy.(D)
21 She is not afraid for her household when it snows,
for all her household are clothed in crimson.(E)
22 She makes herself coverings;
her clothing is fine linen and purple.
23 Her husband is known in the city gates,
taking his seat among the elders of the land.(F)
24 She makes linen garments and sells them;
she supplies the merchant with sashes.
25 Strength and dignity are her clothing,
and she laughs at the time to come.(G)
26 She opens her mouth with wisdom,
and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.(H)
27 She looks well to the ways of her household
and does not eat the bread of idleness.(I)
28 Her children rise up and call her happy;
her husband, too, and he praises her:
29 “Many women have done excellently,
but you surpass them all.”(J)
30 Charm is deceitful and beauty is vain,
but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.(K)
31 Give her a share in the fruit of her hands,
and let her works praise her in the city gates.
Proverbs 31:10-31
International Standard Version
The Honorable Woman
10 Who can find a capable wife?
Her value far exceeds the finest jewels.
11 Her husband has full confidence in her;
as a result, he lacks nothing of value.
12 She will bring good to him—never evil—
every day of her life.
13 She seeks out wool and flax,
working with eager hands.
14 She is like a seagoing ship
that brings her food from far away.
15 She rises while it is still night,
preparing meals for her family
and providing for her women servants.
16 She evaluates a field and purchases it;
from the proceeds she plants a vineyard.
17 She clothes herself with fortitude,
and fortifies her arms with strength.
18 She is confident that her profits are sufficient.
Her lamp does not go out at night.
19 She works with her own hands on her clothes[a]—
her hands work the sewing spindle.
20 She reaches out to the poor,
opening her hands to those in need.
21 She is unafraid of winter’s effect on[b] her household,
because all of them are warmly clothed.[c]
22 She creates her own bedding,
using fine linen and violet cloth.
23 Her husband is well known;[d]
he sits among the leaders of the land.
24 She designs and sells linen garments,
supplying accessories[e] to clothiers.
25 Strength and dignity are her garments;
she smiles about the future.
26 She speaks wisely,
teaching with gracious love.
27 She looks discretely to the affairs of her household,
and she is never lazy.[f]
28 Her children stand up and encourage her,
as does her husband, who praises her:
29 “Many women have done wonderful things,” he says,[g]
“but you surpass all of them!”
30 Charm is deceitful and beauty fades;
but a woman who fears the Lord will be praised.
31 Reward her for her work—
let her actions result in public praise.[h]
Footnotes
- Proverbs 31:19 Lit. staff
- Proverbs 31:21 Lit. of the snow for
- Proverbs 31:21 Lit. are clothed in red
- Proverbs 31:23 Lit. is known in the gates
- Proverbs 31:24 Or belts
- Proverbs 31:27 Lit. she does not eat the food of laziness
- Proverbs 31:29 The Heb. lacks he says
- Proverbs 31:31 Lit. in praise in the gates
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