I took this from Biblegateway.com. You will notice some notes I have made.
Proverbs 31:10-31
New International Version (NIV) (I like this version but Kings James is just fine)
Epilogue: The Wife of Noble Character
10 [a]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. (She is a provider and gracious leader. Ever her servants are taken care of before her.)
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. (She is a business woman)
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. (She is Giving in more ways than one)
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. (She doesn't fear the future)
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. (Her beauty comes from God)
31 Honor her for all that her hands have done,
and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.
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. (She is a provider and gracious leader. Ever her servants are taken care of before her.)
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. (She is a business woman)
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. (She is Giving in more ways than one)
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. (She doesn't fear the future)
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. (Her beauty comes from God)
31 Honor her for all that her hands have done,
and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.
There is a lot to be said about this woman. She almost sounds like a man. lol (woh hold your horses) The reason I love this passage so much is because growing up in the south you are taught to be the submissive wife. I'm not saying this is a bad thing cause I do believe a man should be the head of his household, but sometimes people like to take the submissive part to the extreme. So when I discovered this verse I was amazed at how it talked about not only she honoring her husband and taking care of her household, but that she also showed independence by being a business woman and making profits!! She brought home the bacon just like the man and still was the woman. Also if you look at verse 28 it says that she watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness. So in other words she is on top of things. She doesn't wait by in the shadows waiting for people to make decisions for her. Now I'm sure as a woman of God she included her husband. In fact, I like to think they made these decisions and tackled the problems together. Oh, I almost forgot. The back story is of a mother telling her son, who is a king, how to pick a wife. The whole chapter is actually advice from the mother so it would be good to read all of the chapter if you desire too.
Til next time..... God Bless.
No comments:
Post a Comment