Proverbs 31 is one of the Bible's most prominent celebrations of womanhood. We get to see her be honored for her strength and influence, her faithfulness to God, her competence in finance and leadership in both the home and the public sphere. Let's all celebrate and reflect on these virtues of the women we love on this Mother's Day! "...let her works bring her praise at the city gate!"
Here is the Bible's full celebration
Epilogue: The Wife of Strength & Influence
10 A wife of strength, competence and influence[1] 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[2].
28 Her children arise and call her blessed;
her husband also, and he praises her:
29 “Many women do powerful/influential[3] 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.
The New International Version (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2011), Pr 31:10–31.
(Minor translation corrections as noted.)
[1] חַיִל (Hayil) often used in regard to military strength or social class (i.e. nobility) because of economic influence and position. This word doesn’t appear in the context of moral character. The word shows strength, as in horses (psalm 33:17). It also has uses that relate to wealth. Note that this word also appears in 31.3 and the NIV itself translates as “strength.” The NIV translation, “noble character,” is distinctly different from the meaning of the original Hebrew.
[2] עַ֝צְל֗וּת (Atslut) the translation of idleness is acceptable, but a more appropriate term may be laziness.
[3] Same as v 10. חַ֭יִל. Noble would only be in regard to exercising the authority of her social status.
