Proverbs 31:13 - Printer Friendly

ESV: She seeks wool and flax, and works with willing hands.

NIV: She selects wool and flax and works with eager hands.

NASB: She looks for wool and linen, And works with her hands in delight.

CSB: She selects wool and flax and works with willing hands.

NLT: She finds wool and flax and busily spins it.

KJV: She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands.

NKJV: She seeks wool and flax, And willingly works with her hands.

According to this verse, the excellent woman (Proverbs 31:10) applies enthusiasm and skill to her work. Wool is the product of sheep's hair. Flax is a plant used to make linen. The verse literally speaks of spinning and weaving: turning fibers into threads. In a broader sense, the point is that she applies herself to productive tasks with a positive attitude (Colossians 3:23). The contrast to this would be a poor work ethic (Proverbs 18:9) or a grudging, complaining attitude (Philippians 2:14).

Modern cultures are mostly very different from Bible times. In the Old Testament era, people did not have stores that sold clothing, bed covers, and household furnishings. Supplying these items by weaving and sewing demanded skill and discipline. It could be tempting to resent tedious labor, but the excellent woman maintains a content spirit. She was happy to do whatever was necessary to make her family comfortable. An excellent woman today might have to work in various ways to support her family, but she will be happier doing so if she thinks of the work "as to the Lord" (Ephesians 6:7).

Proverbs 31:10–31 is from an unidentified author. This famous passage describes various virtues and attitudes of a godly, excellent woman. Just like the deeply faithful man (Proverbs 20:6), such a woman is uncommon. She stands in vivid contrast to the adulterers and fools often described in Proverbs. Her life is marked by integrity, honor, trust, productivity, common sense, practical love, and hard work. Those strengths last much longer than appearances. The verses of this section form an "acrostic:" each begins with a letter of the Hebrew alphabet.

This final chapter fits well with the rest of the book of Proverbs. It reiterates subjects found elsewhere in these lessons. Of note is that the entire chapter is connected to godly women. Topics include the importance of godly parenting, morality, righteous treatment of the needy, justice, and diligence. The first section are the words of King Lemuel's mother. The last is the famous depiction of an "excellent wife," exhibiting ideal traits of diligence, godliness, and competence. That description is arranged as acrostic poem: each verse begins with a consecutive letter of the Hebrew alphabet.

Proverbs chapter 31 comes after a long list of Solomon's teachings (Proverbs 25—29) and the words of Agur (Proverbs 30). This final section is connected to two women: the mother of King Lemuel and the ideal of a godly, "excellent" wife. Themes found in this passage are reflected in other lessons from the book of Proverbs. Of note, commendable traits such as business savvy, strength, and wisdom are explicitly associated with women, despite being stereotypically considered masculine. The content after verse 10 is explicitly structured as a poem.

Proverbs is best understood in context with the books of Ecclesiastes and Job. In Proverbs, “wisdom” is given in short, simple, general terms. Ecclesiastes represents wisdom based on observation and experience. This often shows how the general principles of the book of Proverbs don’t apply in absolutely every circumstance. Job represents wisdom based on the experience of suffering and injustice. All three come to the conclusion that God does indeed know best, and the most sensible course of action is to follow His will.