The Virtuous Woman
Proverbs 31
This chapter closes the book with a poem praising a virtuous woman, describing her diligence in providing for her household, her generosity to the poor, and her skill in trade and craftsmanship. It concludes that her husband and children praise her, and that a woman who fears the Lord is more to be praised than charm or beauty.
About these editions
The Septuagint (LXX) in Greek, with Charles Thomson’s 1808 and Sir Lancelot Brenton’s 1851 English translations, set beside the King James Version and the Jewish Masoretic text (JPS 1917) where they align, so you can compare the Greek and the Hebrew. All public domain; choose which to show with the controls above.
Thomson 1808Septuagint
Brenton 1851Septuagint
Greek · BrentonSeptuagint
KJV 1769Masoretic
JPS 1917Masoretic
10
ThomsonWho can find a virtuous woman? Such a one is indeed more valuable than precious stones.
BrentonWho shall find a virtuous woman? for such a one is more valuable than precious stones.
GreekΓυναῖκα ἀνδρείαν τίς εὑρήσει; τιμιωτέρα δέ ἐστι λίθων πολυτελῶν ἡ τοιαύτη.
KJVWho can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.
JPSA woman of valour who can find? For her price is far above rubies.
11
ThomsonThe heart of her husband trusteth in her: such a one hath no need of spoils;
BrentonThe heart of her husband trusts in her: such a one shall stand in no need of fine spoils.
GreekΘαρσεῖ ἐπʼ αὐτῇ ἡ καρδία τοῦ ἀνδρὸς αὐτῆς· ἡ τοιαύτη καλῶν σκύλων οὐκ ἀπορήσει.
KJVThe heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil.
JPS—
12
Thomsonfor she laboureth for her husband’s good all her life long.
BrentonFor she employs all her living for her husband's good.
GreekἘνεργεῖ γὰρ τῷ ἀνδρὶ εἰς ἀγαθὰ πάντα τὸν βίον.
KJVShe will do him good and not evil all the days of her life.
JPSShe doeth him good and not evil all the days of her life.
13
ThomsonHaving spun wool and flax she made a useful work with her hands.
BrentonGathering wool and flax, she makes it serviceable with her hands.
GreekΜηρυομένη ἔρια καὶ λινὸν, ἐποίησεν εὔχρηστον ταῖς χερσὶν αὐτῆς.
KJVShe seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands.
JPSShe seeketh wool and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands.
14
Thomson—
BrentonShe is like a ship trading from a distance: so she procures her livelihood.
GreekἘγένετο ὡσεὶ ναῦς ἐμπορευομένη μακρόθεν, συνάγει δὲ αὕτη τὸν βίον.
KJV—
JPS—
15
Thomsonshe arose by night and give food to her household and work to her maids.
BrentonAnd she rises by night, and gives food to her household, and appointed tasks to her maidens.
GreekΚαὶ ἀνίσταται ἐκ νυκτῶν, καὶ ἔδωκε βρώματα τῷ οἴκῳ, καὶ ἔργα ταῖς θεραπαίναις.
KJVShe riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens.
JPSShe riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth food to her household, and a portion to her maidens.
16
Thomson—
BrentonShe views a farm, and buys it: and with the fruit of her hands she plants a possession.
GreekΘεωρήσασα γεώργιον ἐπρίατο, ἀπὸ δὲ καρπῶν χειρῶν αὐτῆς κατεφύτευσεν κτῆμα.
KJV—
JPS—
17
ThomsonHaving girded herself tight about the waist, she strengthened her arms for work.
BrentonShe strongly girds her loins, and strengthens her arms for work.
GreekἈναζωσαμένη ἰσχυρῶς τὴν ὀσφῦν αὐτῆς ἤρεισε τοὺς βραχίονας αὐτῆς εἰς ἔργον.
KJVShe girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms.
JPSShe girdeth her loins with strength, And maketh strong her arms.
18
Thomson—
BrentonAnd she finds by experience that working is good; and her candle goes not out all night.
GreekΚαὶ ἐγεύσατο ὅτι καλόν ἐστι τὸ ἐργάζεσθαι, καὶ οὐκ ἀποσβέννυται ὁ λύχνος αὐτῆς ὅλην τὴν νύκτα.
KJVShe perceiveth that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out by night.
JPSShe perceiveth that her merchandise is good; Her lamp goeth not out by night.
19
Thomson—
BrentonShe reaches forth her arms to needful works, and applies her hands to the spindle.
Greekτοὺς πήχεις αὐτῆς ἐκτείνει ἐπὶ τὰ συμφέροντα, τὰς δὲ χεῖρας αὐτῆς ἐρείδει εἰς ἄτρακτον.
KJVShe layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff.
JPSShe layeth her hands to the distaff, And her hands hold the spindle.
20
Thomson—
BrentonAnd she opens her hands to the needy, and reaches out fruit to the poor.
GreekΧεῖρας δὲ αὐτῆς διήνοιξε πένητι, καρπὸν δὲ ἐξέτεινεν πτωχῷ.
KJVShe stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy.
JPSShe stretcheth out her hand to the poor; Yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy.
21
ThomsonHer husband when long abroad is not concerned for those at home: for all with her are well clothed.
BrentonHer husband is not anxious about those at home when he tarries anywhere abroad: for all her household are clothed.
GreekΟὐ φροντίζει τῶν ἐν οἴκῳ ὁ ἀνὴρ αὐτῆς ὅταν που χρονίζῃ, πάντες γὰρ οἱ παρʼ αὐτῆς ἐνδεδυμένοι εἰαί.
KJVShe is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household are clothed with scarlet.
JPSShe is not afraid of the snow for her household; For all her household are clothed with scarlet.
22
ThomsonShe made for her husband double garments; and for herself robes of cotton and purple.
BrentonShe makes for her husband clothes of double texture, and garments for herself of fine linen and scarlet.
GreekΔισσὰς χλαίνας ἐποίησε τῷ ἀνδρὶ αὐτῆς, ἐκ δὲ βύσσου καὶ πορφύρας ἑαυτῇ ἐνδύματα.
KJV—
JPSShe maketh for herself coverlets; Her clothing is fine linen and purple.
23
ThomsonAnd her husband is distinguished in the gates; when he sitteth in council with the elders of the land.
BrentonAnd her husband becomes a distinguished person in the gates, when he sits in council with the old inhabitants of the land.
GreekΠερίβλεπτος δὲ γίνεται ὁ ἀνὴρ αὐτῆς ἐν πύλαις, ἡνίκα ἂν καθίσῃ ἐν συνεδρίῳ μετὰ τῶν γερόντων κατοίκων τῆς γῆς.
KJVHer husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land.
JPSHer husband is known in the gates, When he sitteth among the elders of the land.
24
ThomsonShe made sindons and sold girdles to the Chananites. She opened her mouth sparingly and with propriety; and had her tongue in due subjection.
BrentonShe makes fine linens, and sells girdles to the Chananites: she opens her mouth heedfully and with propriety, and controls her tongue.
GreekΣινδόνας ἐποίησε καὶ ἀπέδοτο περιζώματα τοῖς Χαναναίοις. στόμα αὐτῆς διήνοιξε προσεχόντως καὶ ἐννόμως, καὶ τάξιν ἐστείλατο τῇ γλώσσῃ αὐτῆς.
KJV—
JPS—
25
Thomson—
BrentonShe puts on strength and honour; and rejoices in the last days.
GreekἸσχὺν καὶ εὐπρέπειαν ἐνεδύσατο, καὶ εὐφράνθη ἐν ἡμέραις ἐσχάταις.
KJVStrength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come.
JPS—
26
Thomson—
BrentonThe ways of her household are careful, and she eats not the bread of idleness.
GreekΣτεγναὶ διατριβαὶ οἴκων αὐτῆς, σῖτα δὲ ὀκνηρὰ οὐκ ἔφαγεν.
KJVShe looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness.
JPSShe looketh well to the ways of her household, And eateth not the bread of idleness.
27
Thomson—
BrentonBut she opens her mouth wisely, and according to law.
GreekΤὸ στόμα δὲ ἀνοίγει σοφῶς καὶ νομοθέσμως. Ἡ δὲ ἐλεημοσύνη αὐτῆς
KJV—
JPS—
28
ThomsonHer bounty caused her children to honour her, for they were rich; and her husband praised her.
BrentonAnd her kindness to them sets up her children for them, and they grow rich, and her husband praises her.
Greekἀνέστησε τὰ τέκνα αὐτῆς καὶ ἐπλούτησαν, καὶ ὁ ἀνὴρ αὐτῆς ᾔνεσεν αὐτήν.
KJV—
JPS—
29
ThomsonMany daughters have possessed wealth, many have acted virtuously: but thou hast surpassed—thou hast excelled all.
BrentonMany daughters have obtained wealth, many have wrought valiantly; but thou hast exceeded, thou hast surpassed all.
GreekΠολλαὶ θυγατέρες ἐκτήσαντο πλοῦτον, πολλαὶ ἐποίησαν δύναμιν· σὺ δὲ ὑπέρκεισαι, ὑπερῇρας πάσας.
KJVMany daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all.
JPS’Many daughters have done valiantly, But thou excellest them all.’
30
ThomsonFalse are allurements, and vain the beauty of a wife. For a woman of understanding is blessed. Let her therefore praise the fear of the Lord.
BrentonCharms are false, and woman's beauty is vain: for it is a wise woman that is blessed, and let her praise the fear of the Lord.
GreekΨευδεῖς ἀρέσκειαι, καὶ μάταιον κάλλος γυναικος· γυνὴ γὰρ συνετὴ εὐλογεῖται, φόβον δὲ Κυρίου αὕτη αἰνείτω.
KJVFavour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised.
JPSGrace is deceitful, and beauty is vain; But a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised.
31
ThomsonGive her of the fruits of her hands; and let her husband be praised in the gates.
BrentonGive her of the fruit of her lips; and let her husband be praised in the gates.
GreekΔότε αὐτῇ ἀπὸ καρπῶν χειλέων αὐτῆς, καὶ αἰνείσθω ἐν πύλαις ὁ ἀνὴρ αὐτῆς.
KJVGive her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates.
JPSGive her of the fruit of her hands; And let her works praise her in the gates.