Strength and Honor Are Her Clothing (Proverbs 31:1-31)

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Strength and Honor Are Her Clothing

Proverbs 31:1-31

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Strength and Honor Are Her Clothing

Proverbs 31:1-31

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About this song

This song belongs to the Proverbs collection. One recording is available to play here, with the complete lyrics below.

Bible book: Proverbs
Collection: Proverbs
Musical styles: Alternative Pop

These are the words a mother gave her ruler: Do not surrender strength to what destroys. Kings must not be mastered by strong drink; Speak for those who have no public voice. Strength and honor are her clothing; She can smile at days that lie ahead. Wisdom is the language of her speaking; Kindness is the law upon her tongue. Who can find a woman full of virtue? Her worth is far beyond the finest stone. Her household safely trusts her faithful labor; She brings them good through every season known. She seeks the wool and flax and works with gladness, Rises while the darkness covers land. She considers fields and then obtains them; Plants a fruitful vineyard with her hands. She opens up her hand to those in poverty, Reaches to the person in distress. She watches every pathway of her household; She does not eat the bread of idleness. Beauty fades, and outward charm can deceive us; But the woman fearing God deserves the praise. Let the fruit of all her work speak for her; Let her deeds be honored in the gates. Strength and honor are her clothing; Wisdom shines through all her faithful days.

About the passage

Proverbs 31: Her works receive the final word

Proverbs 31 begins with a king listening to his mother before it shows him exercising authority. Lemuel is warned that appetite can consume the strength required for judgment, and that impaired judgment becomes injury for afflicted people. His mouth is therefore given a public duty: speak for those whose own position cannot secure a hearing. The chapter then turns to an alphabetically ordered portrait of a woman defined first by strength, capacity, and trust. Her work crosses household management, manual skill, commerce, land purchase, preparation, generosity, speech, and care. The poem does not present these activities as a single day's timetable, nor does it make assistance invisible. Her hands produce, trade, prepare, and open to the needy; her mouth carries wisdom and kindness. Beauty and favor are finally denied the last word. The fear of the LORD supplies the measure, and the gates become the place where her own works receive public praise.

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