Proverbs 31:1-31
A Woman of Strength
1These are the words of King Lemuel—the burden that his mother taught him:
2What shall I say, O my son? What, O son of my womb? What, O son of my vows?
3Do not spend your strength on women or your vigor on those who ruin kings.
4It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine, or for rulers to crave strong drink,
5lest they drink and forget what is decreed, depriving all the oppressed of justice.
6Give strong drink to one who is perishing, and wine to the bitter in soul.
7Let him drink and forget his poverty, and remember his misery no more.
8Open your mouth for those with no voice, for the cause of all the dispossessed.
9Open your mouth, judge righteously, and defend the cause of the poor and needy.
10A wife of noble character, who can find? She is far more precious than rubies.
11The heart of her husband trusts in her, and he lacks nothing of value.
12She brings him good and not harm all the days of her life.
13She selects wool and flax and works with eager hands.
14She is like the merchant ships, bringing her food from afar.
15She rises while it is still night to provide food for her household and portions for her maidservants.
16She appraises a field and buys it; from her earnings she plants a vineyard.
17She girds herself with strength and shows that her arms are strong.
18She sees that her gain is good, and her lamp is not extinguished at night.
19She stretches out her hands to the distaff and grasps the spindle with her fingers.
20She opens her arms to the poor and reaches out her hands to the needy.
21When it snows, she has no fear for her household, for they are all clothed in scarlet.
22She makes coverings for her bed; her clothing is fine linen and purple.
23Her husband is known at the city gates, where he sits among the elders of the land.
24She makes linen garments and sells them; she delivers sashes to the merchants.
25Strength and honor are her clothing, and she can laugh at the days to come.
26She opens her mouth with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue.
27She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness.
28Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband praises her as well:
29“Many daughters have done noble things, but you surpass them all!”
30Charm is deceptive and beauty is fleeting, but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.
31Give her the fruit of her hands, and let her works praise her at the gates.
Berean Standard Bible
The chapter begins with a mother's instruction to King Lemuel. She warns him not to spend his strength on women or let his desire ruin a king. She also tells him that strong drink can make rulers forget the law and pervert the rights of the afflicted. The concern is public responsibility: a ruler must stay clear-minded enough to defend people whose voices are easily ignored.
The king is told to speak for those who cannot speak for themselves and judge fairly for the poor and needy. Leadership is not measured by luxury or power but by whether the vulnerable receive justice. A person who wants authority without this responsibility has misunderstood the office.
The closing poem praises a woman of strength through a long series of concrete actions. She works with wool and linen, buys a field, plants a vineyard, trades profitably, opens her hand to the poor, prepares for winter, teaches kindness, and watches over her household. The poem does not describe a woman who never rests or a checklist by which every woman must be measured. It celebrates wisdom, competence, generosity, and faithful care.
Her charm and beauty are not treated as worthless, but they are not the foundation. The woman who fears the LORD is worthy of praise, and her works speak at the city gates. Her dignity is visible in what she does, not in an impossible performance of perfection.
Questions
1 What must a ruler avoid?
AnswerA ruler must avoid appetites and intoxication that consume strength or make him forget the law and the rights of afflicted people.
2 For whom should the king speak?
AnswerHe should speak for those who cannot speak for themselves and judge fairly for the poor and needy.
3 What concrete work marks the woman in the poem?
AnswerShe works skillfully, provides for her household, trades wisely, plants, prepares, teaches, and gives generously to the poor.
4 What is the foundation of her praise?
AnswerHer fear of the LORD gives her life its deepest foundation, while her faithful works make that reverence visible.
What This Means for Us
The chapter gives both rulers and households a test of faith: are the vulnerable safer because we are here? Speaking for the powerless may involve advocacy, truthful reporting, practical help, or simply refusing to join a joke that turns another person's hardship into entertainment.
The poem should inspire gratitude rather than comparison. Its woman is praised for wisdom and strength, not presented as a burdened ideal that makes ordinary people feel guilty. Honor the faithful work already being done, share responsibility, and let character matter more than appearance.
Prayer
LORD, make us clear-minded and just, especially toward people whose voices are overlooked. Give our household strength for faithful work, generosity toward the poor, and reverence for You that becomes visible in kindness and wisdom. Amen.