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The book closes with the words of King Lemuel, otherwise unknown, as his mother taught them to him. Her advice is brief: avoid what drains a ruler's strength, and speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves. Then comes a poem in which each verse, in Hebrew, begins with the next letter of the alphabet, an A to Z of a woman of strength. She trades, plants, weaves, provides, and cares for the poor. Watch where the poem ends up: what is praised at last is the fear of the LORD.
1The words of King Lemuel—the revelation which his mother taught him:
2“Oh, my son! Oh, son of my womb! Oh, son of my vows!
3Don’t give your strength to women, nor your ways to that which destroys kings.
4It is not for kings, Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine, nor for princes to say, ‘Where is strong drink?’
5lest they drink, and forget the law, and pervert the justice due to anyone who is afflicted.
6Give strong drink to him who is ready to perish, and wine to the bitter in soul.
7Let him drink, and forget his poverty, and remember his misery no more.
8Open your mouth for the mute, in the cause of all who are left desolate.
9Open your mouth, judge righteously, and serve justice to the poor and needy.”
10Who can find a worthy woman? For her value is far above rubies.
11The heart of her husband trusts in her. He shall have no lack of gain.
12She does him good, and not harm, all the days of her life.
13She seeks wool and flax, and works eagerly with her hands.
14She is like the merchant ships. She brings her bread from afar.
15She rises also while it is yet night, gives food to her household, and portions for her servant girls.
16She considers a field, and buys it. With the fruit of her hands, she plants a vineyard.
17She arms her waist with strength, and makes her arms strong.
18She perceives that her merchandise is profitable. Her lamp doesn’t go out by night.
19She lays her hands to the distaff, and her hands hold the spindle.
20She opens her arms to the poor; yes, she extends her hands to the needy.
21She is not afraid of the snow for her household, for all her household are clothed with scarlet.
22She makes for herself carpets of tapestry. Her clothing is fine linen and purple.
23Her husband is respected in the gates, when he sits among the elders of the land.
24She makes linen garments and sells them, and delivers sashes to the merchant.
25Strength and dignity are her clothing. She laughs at the time to come.
26She opens her mouth with wisdom. Kind instruction is on her tongue.
27She looks well to the ways of her household, and doesn’t eat the bread of idleness.
28Her children rise up and call her blessed. Her husband also praises her:
29“Many women do noble things, but you excel them all.”
30Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain; but a woman who fears the LORD, she shall be praised.
31Give her of the fruit of her hands! Let her works praise her in the gates!
Meditate
The woman of worth is clothed in strength and dignity, and she can smile at the days ahead. What worry about the future might God turn into quiet confidence?
Read it slowly, then sit with the prompt. Free: stillingwaves.com/bible/proverbs/31/
Scripture: World English Bible (public domain).Scripture: King James Version (1769 text), public domain outside the United Kingdom; in the United Kingdom under Crown patent.
This poem is not a to-do list, and no one is meant to measure themselves against it line by line. Many readers hear in it an echo of Wisdom, pictured as a woman in the book's opening chapters, now seen at home, in the market, and at the city gate. It is a portrait of what wisdom looks like when it is lived, and it belongs to men and women alike. Notice too that the chapter opens with a woman's voice: a mother teaching a king to speak up for the poor (verses 8 and 9). Then verse 26 places wisdom and kindness on the same tongue. Where have you seen this kind of strength in someone who shaped you? Which line here draws you, not as a demand but as an invitation? Thank God for such people, and ask him for wisdom that is kind.
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