Proverbs 31

KJ3 Literal Translation — Chapter 31 of 31

¹ The words of King Lemuel, the burden that his mother taught him:

² What, my son? And what, the son of my womb? And what, the son of my vows?

³ Do not give your strength to women, or your ways to that wiping out kings.

⁴ It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine, nor for rulers to lust for fermented drink,

Read full chapter in the Bible Reader

Chapter Summary

A virtuous woman is worth more than rubies.

Key Hebrew Words

חַ֫יִל virtue, worth H2428 · TWOT 624a

יָרֵא fearing (Jehovah) H3373 · TWOT 907a

חׇכְמָה wisdom H2451 · TWOT 647a

חֶ֫סֶד kindness H2617 · TWOT 698a

עֹז strength H5797 · TWOT 1596b

פְּנִינִים jewels H6443 · TWOT 1783b

People & Context

King Lemuel

King who received this oracle from his mother; named in verses 1 and 4

Timeline

Lemuel's Mother Teaches Him

The mother of King Lemuel teaches him a burden, warning him against giving his strength to women and advising against rulers drinking fermented drink.

Proverbs 31:1-9

Virtuous Woman Seeks Materials

A virtuous woman seeks out wool and flax, working with her palms with delight.

Proverbs 31:13

Virtuous Woman Brings Food from Afar

Like merchant ships, the virtuous woman brings her food from afar.

Proverbs 31:14

Read Proverbs 31 in the KJ3 Reader

Word-for-word literal translation with Hebrew interlinear, Strong's numbers, and audio.

Open in Bible Reader

Proverbs 30 Proverbs Ecclesiastes 1