Read the Bible
KING JAMES BIBLE · PCE

Proverbs 31:10–16

TEXT EDITION
Pure Cambridge Edition selected
¶ Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.
The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil.
She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life.
She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands.
She is like the merchants’ ships; she bringeth her food from afar.
She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens.
She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard.
Share
Email linkOpen a new message in your email app
Read chapter
More
Report an issueTell us about a text or study problem

PASSAGE SELECTION

Build from either side

7 selected · 3 available

Choose up to 10 verses in this chapter. The study tools update with the selected passage.

SCRIPTURE WITH SCRIPTURE

Cross References

27 Essential passages are open for comparison.

Reference depth

From verse 10

  1. Proverbs 19:14Rank 1 from verse 10
    Open

    14House and riches are the inheritance of fathers: and a prudent wife is from the Lord.

  2. Proverbs 12:4Rank 2 from verse 10
    Open

    4A virtuous woman is a crown to her husband: but she that maketh ashamed is as rottenness in his bones.

  3. Proverbs 18:22Rank 3 from verse 10
    Open

    22Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing, and obtaineth favour of the Lord.

  4. Ephesians 5:25–33Rank 4 from verse 10
    Open

    25Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;

    26That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,

    27That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.

    28So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself.

    29For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church:

    30For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones.

    31For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh.

    32This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church.

    33Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife see that she reverence her husband.

  5. Proverbs 3:15Rank 5 from verse 10
    Open

    15She is more precious than rubies: and all the things thou canst desire are not to be compared unto her.

From verse 11

  1. 1 Peter 3:1–7Rank 1 from verse 11
    Open

    1LIKEWISE, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives;

    2While they behold your chaste conversation coupled with fear.

    3Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel;

    4But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price.

    5For after this manner in the old time the holy women also, who trusted in God, adorned themselves, being in subjection unto their own husbands:

    6Even as Sara obeyed Abraham, calling him lord: whose daughters ye are, as long as ye do well, and are not afraid with any amazement.

    7Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered.

  2. 2 Kings 4:22–23Rank 2 from verse 11
    Open

    22And she called unto her husband, and said, Send me, I pray thee, one of the young men, and one of the asses, that I may run to the man of God, and come again.

    23And he said, Wherefore wilt thou go to him to day? it is neither new moon, nor sabbath. And she said, It shall be well.

  3. 2 Kings 4:9–10Rank 3 from verse 11
    Open

    9And she said unto her husband, Behold now, I perceive that this is an holy man of God, which passeth by us continually.

    10Let us make a little chamber, I pray thee, on the wall; and let us set for him there a bed, and a table, and a stool, and a candlestick: and it shall be, when he cometh to us, that he shall turn in thither.

From verse 12

  1. 1 Samuel 25:18–22Rank 1 from verse 12
    Open

    18¶ Then Abigail made haste, and took two hundred loaves, and two bottles of wine, and five sheep ready dressed, and five measures of parched corn, and an hundred clusters of raisins, and two hundred cakes of figs, and laid them on asses.

    19And she said unto her servants, Go on before me; behold, I come after you. But she told not her husband Nabal.

    20And it was so, as she rode on the ass, that she came down by the covert of the hill, and, behold, David and his men came down against her; and she met them.

    21Now David had said, Surely in vain have I kept all that this fellow hath in the wilderness, so that nothing was missed of all that pertained unto him: and he hath requited me evil for good.

    22So and more also do God unto the enemies of David, if I leave of all that pertain to him by the morning light any that pisseth against the wall.

  2. 1 Samuel 25:26–27Rank 2 from verse 12
    Open

    26Now therefore, my lord, as the Lord liveth, and as thy soul liveth, seeing the Lord hath withholden thee from coming to shed blood, and from avenging thyself with thine own hand, now let thine enemies, and they that seek evil to my lord, be as Nabal.

    27And now this blessing which thine handmaid hath brought unto my lord, let it even be given unto the young men that follow my lord.

From verse 13

  1. 1 Timothy 5:10Rank 1 from verse 13
    Open

    10Well reported of for good works; if she have brought up children, if she have lodged strangers, if she have washed the saints’ feet, if she have relieved the afflicted, if she have diligently followed every good work.

  2. Titus 2:5Rank 2 from verse 13
    Open

    5To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed.

  3. 2 Thessalonians 3:10–12Rank 3 from verse 13
    Open

    10For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat.

    11For we hear that there are some which walk among you disorderly, working not at all, but are busybodies.

    12Now them that are such we command and exhort by our Lord Jesus Christ, that with quietness they work, and eat their own bread.

  4. Acts 9:39–40Rank 4 from verse 13
    Open

    39Then Peter arose and went with them. When he was come, they brought him into the upper chamber: and all the widows stood by him weeping, and shewing the coats and garments which Dorcas made, while she was with them.

    40But Peter put them all forth, and kneeled down, and prayed; and turning him to the body said, Tabitha, arise. And she opened her eyes: and when she saw Peter, she sat up.

  5. Genesis 18:6–8Rank 5 from verse 13
    Open

    6And Abraham hastened into the tent unto Sarah, and said, Make ready quickly three measures of fine meal, knead it, and make cakes upon the hearth.

    7And Abraham ran unto the herd, and fetcht a calf tender and good, and gave it unto a young man; and he hasted to dress it.

    8And he took butter, and milk, and the calf which he had dressed, and set it before them; and he stood by them under the tree, and they did eat.

From verse 14

  1. 1 Kings 9:26–28Rank 1 from verse 14
    Open

    26¶ And king Solomon made a navy of ships in Ezion-geber, which is beside Eloth, on the shore of the Red sea, in the land of Edom.

    27And Hiram sent in the navy his servants, shipmen that had knowledge of the sea, with the servants of Solomon.

    28And they came to Ophir, and fetched from thence gold, four hundred and twenty talents, and brought it to king Solomon.

  2. Ezekiel 27:3–36Rank 2 from verse 14
    Open

    3And say unto Tyrus, O thou that art situate at the entry of the sea, which art a merchant of the people for many isles, Thus saith the Lord God; O Tyrus, thou hast said, I am of perfect beauty.

    4Thy borders are in the midst of the seas, thy builders have perfected thy beauty.

    5They have made all thy ship boards of fir trees of Senir: they have taken cedars from Lebanon to make masts for thee.

    6Of the oaks of Bashan have they made thine oars; the company of the Ashurites have made thy benches of ivory, brought out of the isles of Chittim.

    7Fine linen with broidered work from Egypt was that which thou spreadest forth to be thy sail; blue and purple from the isles of Elishah was that which covered thee.

    8The inhabitants of Zidon and Arvad were thy mariners: thy wise men, O Tyrus, that were in thee, were thy pilots.

    9The ancients of Gebal and the wise men thereof were in thee thy calkers: all the ships of the sea with their mariners were in thee to occupy thy merchandise.

    10They of Persia and of Lud and of Phut were in thine army, thy men of war: they hanged the shield and helmet in thee; they set forth thy comeliness.

    11The men of Arvad with thine army were upon thy walls round about, and the Gammadims were in thy towers: they hanged their shields upon thy walls round about; they have made thy beauty perfect.

    12Tarshish was thy merchant by reason of the multitude of all kind of riches; with silver, iron, tin, and lead, they traded in thy fairs.

    13Javan, Tubal, and Meshech, they were thy merchants: they traded the persons of men and vessels of brass in thy market.

    14They of the house of Togarmah traded in thy fairs with horses and horsemen and mules.

    15The men of Dedan were thy merchants; many isles were the merchandise of thine hand: they brought thee for a present horns of ivory and ebony.

    16Syria was thy merchant by reason of the multitude of the wares of thy making: they occupied in thy fairs with emeralds, purple, and broidered work, and fine linen, and coral, and agate.

    17Judah, and the land of Israel, they were thy merchants: they traded in thy market wheat of Minnith, and Pannag, and honey, and oil, and balm.

    18Damascus was thy merchant in the multitude of the wares of thy making, for the multitude of all riches; in the wine of Helbon, and white wool.

    19Dan also and Javan going to and fro occupied in thy fairs: bright iron, cassia, and calamus, were in thy market.

    20Dedan was thy merchant in precious clothes for chariots.

    21Arabia, and all the princes of Kedar, they occupied with thee in lambs, and rams, and goats: in these were they thy merchants.

    22The merchants of Sheba and Raamah, they were thy merchants: they occupied in thy fairs with chief of all spices, and with all precious stones, and gold.

    23Haran, and Canneh, and Eden, the merchants of Sheba, Asshur, and Chilmad, were thy merchants.

    24These were thy merchants in all sorts of things, in blue clothes, and broidered work, and in chests of rich apparel, bound with cords, and made of cedar, among thy merchandise.

    25The ships of Tarshish did sing of thee in thy market: and thou wast replenished, and made very glorious in the midst of the seas.

    26¶ Thy rowers have brought thee into great waters: the east wind hath broken thee in the midst of the seas.

    27Thy riches, and thy fairs, thy merchandise, thy mariners, and thy pilots, thy calkers, and the occupiers of thy merchandise, and all thy men of war, that are in thee, and in all thy company which is in the midst of thee, shall fall into the midst of the seas in the day of thy ruin.

    28The suburbs shall shake at the sound of the cry of thy pilots.

    29And all that handle the oar, the mariners, and all the pilots of the sea, shall come down from their ships, they shall stand upon the land;

    30And shall cause their voice to be heard against thee, and shall cry bitterly, and shall cast up dust upon their heads, they shall wallow themselves in the ashes:

    31And they shall make themselves utterly bald for thee, and gird them with sackcloth, and they shall weep for thee with bitterness of heart and bitter wailing.

    32And in their wailing they shall take up a lamentation for thee, and lament over thee, saying, What city is like Tyrus, like the destroyed in the midst of the sea?

    33When thy wares went forth out of the seas, thou filledst many people; thou didst enrich the kings of the earth with the multitude of thy riches and of thy merchandise.

    34In the time when thou shalt be broken by the seas in the depths of the waters thy merchandise and all thy company in the midst of thee shall fall.

    35All the inhabitants of the isles shall be astonished at thee, and their kings shall be sore afraid, they shall be troubled in their countenance.

    36The merchants among the people shall hiss at thee; thou shalt be a terror, and never shalt be any more.

  3. Proverbs 31:24Rank 3 from verse 14
    Open

    24She maketh fine linen, and selleth it; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant.

  4. 2 Chronicles 9:10Rank 4 from verse 14
    Open

    10And the servants also of Huram, and the servants of Solomon, which brought gold from Ophir, brought algum trees and precious stones.

From verse 15

  1. Romans 12:11Rank 1 from verse 15
    Open

    11Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord;

  2. Luke 12:42Rank 2 from verse 15
    Open

    42And the Lord said, Who then is that faithful and wise steward, whom his lord shall make ruler over his household, to give them their portion of meat in due season?

  3. Mark 1:35Rank 3 from verse 15
    Open

    35And in the morning, rising up a great while before day, he went out, and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed.

  4. Proverbs 20:13Rank 4 from verse 15
    Open

    13Love not sleep, lest thou come to poverty; open thine eyes, and thou shalt be satisfied with bread.

  5. Ecclesiastes 9:10Rank 5 from verse 15
    Open

    10Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest.

From verse 16

  1. Matthew 13:44Rank 1 from verse 16
    Open

    44¶ Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field; the which when a man hath found, he hideth, and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field.

  2. Song of Solomon 8:12Rank 2 from verse 16
    Open

    12My vineyard, which is mine, is before me: thou, O Solomon, must have a thousand, and those that keep the fruit thereof two hundred.

  3. Joshua 15:18Rank 3 from verse 16
    Open

    18And it came to pass, as she came unto him, that she moved him to ask of her father a field: and she lighted off her ass; and Caleb said unto her, What wouldest thou?

WORDS IN THIS PASSAGE

Definitions

Open a word for its full definition and concordance.

DEFINED WORDS

Proverbs 31:10

COMBINED MEANING

find

↗

To discover, meet with, obtain, perceive, or learn by search or experience.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

for

↗

1. In behalf of or in the place of. 2. With respect to, concerning, or toward. 3. Because of or on account of. 4. During or throughout. 5. In order to obtain or reach. 6. As a conjunction, because or seeing that.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

DEFINED WORDS

Proverbs 31:11

COMBINED MEANING

heart

↗

Sense 1: The bodily organ. Sense 2: The inward person: the mind, will, affections, conscience, or moral character.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

husband

↗

Sense 1: A married man in relation to his wife. Sense 2: One who manages or cultivates carefully.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

trust

↗

Sense 1: Confidence or reliance placed in a person or thing. Sense 2: To rely upon, confide in, or place confidence in. Sense 3: Something committed to another's care or charge.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

in

↗

1. A preposition marking position, presence, state, circumstance, manner, means, sphere, reference, relation, association, or participation. 2. As an adverb, inward, inside, or into the place or position referred to.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

shall

↗

An auxiliary verb expressing future action, intention, promise, command, requirement, or determination.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

need

↗

Sense 1: Want: occasion for something; necessity; a state that requires supply or relief. Sense 2: To require or lack something necessary.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

spoil

↗

Sense 1: Goods or captives taken from an enemy. Sense 2: As a verb, to plunder, rob, strip, ruin, or deprive of what is possessed.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

DEFINED WORDS

Proverbs 31:12

COMBINED MEANING

good

↗

Sense 1: Right, morally upright, beneficial, pleasing, useful, suitable, sound, favourable, or excellent. Sense 2: A good thing, benefit, welfare, possession, or goods. Sense 3: In ‘make good,’ to repair, repay, fulfil, establish, or prove.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

evil

↗

Sense 1: Moral wickedness, sin, wrong, or corruption. Sense 2: Harm, misery, calamity, adversity, or punishment.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

DEFINED WORDS

Proverbs 31:13

COMBINED MEANING

wool

↗

The soft, fleece-like hair of sheep, used as material and as a comparison for whiteness, softness, or something moth-eaten.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

flax

↗

The fibre-bearing plant from which linen thread and cloth are made.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

worketh

↗

Third-person singular present form of work, meaning to labour, act, operate, perform, make, produce, accomplish, or bring about.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

willingly

↗

By one's own choice or consent; not by constraint.

Meaning drawn from: Direct Scripture definition · KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

hands

↗

Sense 1: The end parts of the arms used for holding and working. Sense 2: Figures of power, possession, agency, or aid.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

DEFINED WORDS

Proverbs 31:14

COMBINED MEANING

like

↗

Sense 1: Similar or of the same kind; in the same manner; likely. Sense 2: A like person or thing; an equal or counterpart. Sense 3: To please, choose, or regard with favour.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Skeat 1893 · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

merchants

↗

Persons who buy, sell, exchange, transport, or trade goods and wares, often for gain and sometimes across lands or seas.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

afar

↗

Sense 1: At or from a great distance. Sense 2: Figuratively, remote, estranged, or absent.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

DEFINED WORDS

Proverbs 31:15

COMBINED MEANING

yet

↗

1. Up to or at the present or stated time; still. 2. At some future time. 3. Nevertheless; however. 4. In addition; further.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

night

↗

1. The dark part of the daily cycle distinguished from day, from evening until morning, or any portion of it. 2. A time or condition compared with night or darkness.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

meat

↗

Sense 1: Food, nourishment, sustenance, or provision. Sense 2: Figuratively, that which nourishes or sustains.

Meaning drawn from: Direct Scripture definition · KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

household

↗

Sense 1: The persons belonging to a house, family, or domestic establishment, including those under its head or charge. Sense 2: The goods, effects, or affairs belonging to such a house.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

portion

↗

A part, share, allotment, inheritance, assigned duty, reward, or outcome belonging or given to someone.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

DEFINED WORDS

Proverbs 31:16

COMBINED MEANING

fruit

↗

Sense 1: The produce borne by plants or the land. Sense 2: Offspring or increase. Sense 3: A result, product, consequence, character, or work proceeding from something.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

hands

↗

Sense 1: The end parts of the arms used for holding and working. Sense 2: Figures of power, possession, agency, or aid.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

READ BEFORE AND AFTER

Surrounding Verses

Nearby Scripture remains separate from the selected passage until you add it.

9Open thy mouth, judge righteously, and plead the cause of the poor and needy.

10¶ Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.

Selected passage

11The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil.

Selected passage

12She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life.

Selected passage

13She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands.

Selected passage

14She is like the merchants’ ships; she bringeth her food from afar.

Selected passage

15She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens.

Selected passage

16She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard.

Selected passage

17She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms.

LOCAL PASTOR DIRECTORY

Find a Pastor Near You

Enter a U.S. ZIP code to find nearby pastors committed to holding fast the faithful word.

Your ZIP is processed in this browser from local data. It is not sent to a ZIP lookup service or to a church. ZIP coordinates from GeoNames, licensed under CC BY 4.0.