The Strand Study Bible

PROVERBS 30:32

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PROVERBS 31:23

32 If thou hast done foolishly in lifting up thyself, or if thou hast thought evil, lay thine hand upon thy mouth. 33 Surely the churning of milk bringeth forth butter, and the wringing of the nose bringeth forth blood: so the forcing of wrath bringeth forth strife. Proverbs 31 The words of King Lemuel Date Written - c. 1007 BC/AM 2993 1 The words of king Lemuel, the prophecy that his mother taught him. 2 What, my son? and what, the son of my womb? and what, the son of my vows? 3 Give not thy strength unto women, nor thy ways 1 to that which destroyeth kings. 4 It is not for 2 kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine; nor for princes strong drink: 5 Lest they drink, and forget the law, and pervert the judgment of any of the afflicted. 6 Give strong drink unto him that is ready to perish, and wine unto those that be of heavy hearts. 7 Let him drink, and forget his poverty, and remember his misery no more. 8 3 Open thy mouth for the dumb in the cause of all such as are appointed to destruction. 9 3 Open thy mouth, judge righteously, and plead the cause of the poor and needy. The rarity of the ideal woman – eighteen characteristics that sum up what it means to be virtuous 10 Who can find a 4 virtuous woman? 5 for her price is far above rubies. Characteristic #1 – Being a blessing to others financially, instead of a burden 11 The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil. Characteristic #2 – Living to see others succeed, instead of yourself 12 She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life. Characteristic #3 – Living to work, instead of working to live 13 She seeketh wool, and flax, and work-

eth willingly with her hands. Characteristic #4 – Being frugal enough to be charitable, not cheap 14 She is like the merchants’ ships; she bringeth her food from afar. Characteristic #5 – Serving others, instead of being served 15 She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens. Characteristic #6 – Having enough business sense to make real cents 16 She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard. Characteristic #7 – Willing to work, instead of having to work 17 She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms. Characteristic #8 – Working money, instead of working for money 18 She perceiveth that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out by night. Characteristic #9 – Working to make others look good, instead of yourself 19 She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff. Characteristic #10 – Living to give, instead of giving to live 20 She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy. Characteristic #11 – Caring enough to plan ahead 21 She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household are clothed with 6 scarlet. Characteristic #12 – Dressing to make God look good, instead of yourself 22 She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple. Characteristic #13 – Living to see others honored, instead of self 23 Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land.

1. Deut 17:14-17 & Prov 7:26 2. or, “leadership” - I Tim 3:3 & Eccl 10:17 & Jere 35 3. or, “plead the cause” 4. Prov 12:4 5. I Pet 3:4 6. or, “the best”- Lk 16 : 1-8

31:1 Lemuel’s name means “belonging to God.” Some have suggested that Lemuel is but another name for Solomon and that Bathsheba, his mother, renamed him after she vowed that she would give her second child to God. Her first child, if you remember, died due to her adulterous affair with King David (II Sam 11:1-4 & 12:1-24). 31:4 Leaders ( kings ) have too much responsibility to have their thinking clouded by alcohol (I Tim 3:1-3). 31:6-7 Christians who advocate drinking alcohol like to use these two verses (vs 6-7) to justify their consumption of it. However,