Proverbs 11:22
English Standard Version
22 Like (A)a gold ring in a pig's snout
is a beautiful woman without discretion.
Proverbs 11:22
International Standard Version
22 Like a gold ring in a pig’s snout
is a beautiful woman without discretion.
Proverbs 12:4
English Standard Version
4 (A)An excellent wife is (B)the crown of her husband,
but she who (C)brings shame is like (D)rottenness in his bones.
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 14:1
English Standard Version
Proverbs 14:1
International Standard Version
How Wise People Live
14 Every wise woman builds up her household,
but the foolish one tears it down with her own hands.
Proverbs 18:22
English Standard Version
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
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 21:9
English Standard Version
9 It is (A)better to live in a corner of the housetop
than in a house shared with a quarrelsome wife.
Proverbs 21:9
International Standard Version
9 It’s better to live in a corner on the roof
than to share a house with a contentious woman.
Proverbs 21:19
English Standard Version
19 It is (A)better to live in a desert land
than with a quarrelsome and fretful woman.
Proverbs 21:19
International Standard Version
19 It’s better to live in the wilderness
than to live with a contentious and irritable woman.
Proverbs 27:15-16
English Standard Version
15 (A)A continual dripping on a rainy day
and a quarrelsome wife are alike;
16 to restrain her is to restrain the wind
or to grasp[a] oil in one's right hand.
Footnotes
- Proverbs 27:16 Hebrew to meet with
Proverbs 27:15-16
International Standard Version
15 A continual dripping on a rainy day
and a contentious wife are alike.
16 Trying to keep her in check is like stopping a wind storm
or grabbing oil with your right hand.
Proverbs 31:10-31
English Standard Version
The Woman Who Fears the Lord
10 [a] (A)An excellent wife who can find?
She is far more precious than (B)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 (C)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 (D)rises while it is yet night
and (E)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 (F)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 (G)opens her hand to (H)the poor
and reaches out her hands to (I)the needy.
21 She is not afraid of snow for her household,
for all her household are clothed in (J)scarlet.[c]
22 She makes (K)bed coverings for herself;
her clothing is (L)fine linen and (M)purple.
23 Her husband is known in (N)the gates
when he sits among the elders of the land.
24 She makes (O)linen garments and sells them;
she delivers sashes to the merchant.
25 (P)Strength and dignity are her clothing,
and she laughs at the time to come.
26 She opens her mouth with wisdom,
and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.
27 She looks well to the ways of her household
and does not eat the bread of idleness.
28 Her children rise up and call her blessed;
her husband also, and he praises her:
29 “Many (Q)women have done (R)excellently,
but you surpass them all.”
30 (S)Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain,
but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.
31 Give her of the fruit of her hands,
and let her works praise her in the gates.
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 31:21 Or in double thickness
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
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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