Read & explore together
The Virtues of a Noble Woman
Proverbs 31:10–31 is a wisdom poem praising a worthy woman. It describes her character, work, care for others and reverence for Yahweh, showing that lasting honour is tied to faithful living rather than outward appearance.
Understanding the passage
Listening in context
This passage is presented as wisdom, not as a report of separate events. Through a sequence of poetic sayings, it describes a noble woman’s value, her work in household and trade, her words, and the praise she receives both at home and in the public gates because she fears Yahweh.
Proverbs 31:10–31Main takeaway
This wisdom poem teaches that a worthy woman’s praise rests on faithful work, wise speech, care for others and the fear of Yahweh.
Look closely at the words
Open a card to explore the full explanation and its Bible references.
01Rare worth and trusted faithfulnessThe poem opens by asking who can find a worthy woman, stressing that she is precious, far above rubies.
Explanation
The poem opens by asking who can find a worthy woman, stressing that she is precious, far above rubies. Her husband trusts her, and she does him good, not harm, throughout her life. These opening lines emphasise durable character and trustworthiness, not merely talent or appearance.
02Skilled, energetic and productiveThe next verses show eager labour with wool and flax, bringing food, rising early and managing a household.
Explanation
The next verses show eager labour with wool and flax, bringing food, rising early and managing a household. She considers a field, buys it and plants a vineyard. She strengthens herself for work, sees profit in her merchandise, and handles the distaff and spindle, showing hands-on textile skill and steady effort.
03Prepared, generous and dignifiedHer work benefits others as well as her household. She opens her arms to the poor and needy.
Explanation
Her work benefits others as well as her household. She opens her arms to the poor and needy. She is unafraid for her household in snow because they are clothed. She makes carpets, wears fine linen and purple, and sells linen garments and sashes. Strength and dignity mark her outlook and conduct.
04Wise speech and praise at home and in the gatesShe speaks with wisdom and kind instruction, watches over her household and avoids idleness.
Explanation
She speaks with wisdom and kind instruction, watches over her household and avoids idleness. Her children and husband praise her, and her husband is respected in the gates among the elders. The poem ends by saying charm and beauty are not the true basis of praise. A woman who fears Yahweh should be honoured, and her works should praise her in the gates.
Questions to explore
Pause, look back at the verses and talk together.
01How do the opening verses define this woman’s value?
Notice both the comparison with rubies and the way trust and lifelong good are described.
02What details in the middle of the poem show practical skill with materials, goods and planning?
Look for references to wool, flax, buying a field, planting a vineyard, profitable merchandise, and using the distaff and spindle.
03Who praises her at the end, and what is the deepest reason given for that praise?
Trace the family praise, the public setting of the gates, and the statement about fearing Yahweh.
Read the Bible passage
World English Bible ClassicScripture quotation · Public domain
Proverbs 31:10–31
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 Yahweh, she shall be praised.
31Give her of the fruit of her hands! Let her works praise her in the gates!