Proverbs 31

1 The sayings of King Lemuel—an inspired utterance his mother taught him.

2 Listen, my son! Listen, son of my womb!
    Listen, my son, the answer to my prayers!
3 Do not spend your strength on women,
    your vigor on those who ruin kings.

4 It is not for kings, Lemuel—
    it is not for kings to drink wine,
    not for rulers to crave beer,
5 lest they drink and forget what has been decreed,
    and deprive all the oppressed of their rights.
6 Let beer be for those who are perishing,
    wine for those who are in anguish!
7 Let them drink and forget their poverty
    and remember their misery no more.

8 Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves,
    for the rights of all who are destitute.
9 Speak up and judge fairly;
    defend the rights of the poor and needy.

10 A wife of noble character who can find?
    She is worth far more than rubies.
11 Her husband has full confidence in her
    and lacks nothing of value.
12 She brings him good, not harm,
    all the days of her life.
13 She selects wool and flax
    and works with eager hands.
14 She is like the merchant ships,
    bringing her food from afar.
15 She gets up while it is still night;
    she provides food for her family
    and portions for her female servants.
16 She considers a field and buys it;
    out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.
17 She sets about her work vigorously;
    her arms are strong for her tasks.
18 She sees that her trading is profitable,
    and her lamp does not go out at night.
19 In her hand she holds the distaff
    and grasps the spindle with her fingers.
20 She opens her arms to the poor
    and extends her hands to the needy.
21 When it snows, she has no fear for her household;
    for all of them are clothed in scarlet.
22 She makes coverings for her bed;
    she is clothed in fine linen and purple.
23 Her husband is respected at the city gate,
    where he takes his seat among the elders of the land.
24 She makes linen garments and sells them,
    and supplies the merchants with sashes.
25 She is clothed with strength and dignity;
    she can laugh at the days to come.
26 She speaks with wisdom,
    and faithful instruction is on her tongue.
27 She watches over the affairs of her household
    and does not eat the bread of idleness.
28 Her children arise and call her blessed;
    her husband also, and he praises her:
29 “Many women do noble things,
    but you surpass them all.”
30 Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;
    but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.
31 Honor her for all that her hands have done,
    and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.

Observation Questions

Who is strength not to be spent on? (verse 3)

Is it for kings to drink wine? (verse 4)

Is it for rulers to crave beer? (verse 4-5)

Who is beer to be for? (verse 6)

Who is wine for? (verse 6)

Are those who are perishing and in anguish to be allowed to drink? (verse 6-7)

Are those who cannot speak for themselves to be spoken up for? (verse 8)

Are the rights of the poor and needy to be defended? (verse 9)

Is a wife of noble character worth far more than rubies? (verse 10)

Does a wife of noble character's husband lack anything of value? (verse 11)

Does a wife of noble character bring her husband good and not harm all the days of her life? (verse 12)

How does a wife of noble character work? (verse 13)

Does a wife of noble character provide food for her family? (verse 15)

How does a wife of noble character plant a vineyard? (verse 16)

Does a wife of noble character set about her work vigorously? (verse 17)

Does a wife of noble character extend her arms to the poor and her hands to the needy? (verse 20)

Does a wife of noble character have any fear for her household when it snows? (verse 21)

What does a wife of noble character make for her bed according to verse 22?

What is a wife of noble character clothed in according to verse 22?

Is a wife of noble character's husband respected at the city gate? (verse 23)

Where does a wife of noble character's husband take his seat? (verse 23)

Does a wife of noble character make things and sell them? (verse 24)

Can a wife of noble character laugh at the days to come? (verse 25)

Does a wife of noble character speak with wisdom? (verse 25)

Does a wife of noble character eat the bread of idleness? (verse 27)

Does her husband praise a wife of noble character? (verse 28)

Is a woman who fears the Lord to be praised? (verse 30)