Devine Scripture

Proverbs 31:13

What does Proverbs 31:13 mean?

A plain-English look at Proverbs 31:13 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Proverbs 31:13 means

This verse illustrates the worthy woman's proactive and industrious nature. She actively "seeketh wool and flax," which were essential raw materials for making clothing and textiles in ancient times. Her willingness to "worketh willingly with her hands" underscores her diligence, skill, and ungrudging effort in practical tasks. She is not idle but takes initiative and finds joy in productive labor, contributing directly to the needs of her household through her own craftsmanship and hard work, transforming raw materials into useful goods.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

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

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

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

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

She gets wool and linen, working at the business of her hands.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

She hath sought wool and flax, And with delight she worketh <FI>with<Fi> her hands.

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

She hath sought wool and flax, and hath wrought by the counsel of her hands.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

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

Context

Following the general statements about her positive influence on her husband (verses 11-12), this verse begins to detail the specific ways the worthy woman demonstrates her value through her practical diligence. It introduces her active engagement in household production, setting the stage for further descriptions of her industriousness and resourcefulness in the verses that follow.

v.12She doeth him good and not evil All the days of her life.

v.13This passage

v.14She is like the merchant-ships; She bringeth her bread from afar.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Genesis 24:18

    And she said, Drink, my lord: and she hasted, and let down her pitcher upon her hand, and gave him drink.

  • 1 Timothy 5:14

    I desire therefore that the younger widows marry, bear children, rule the household, give no occasion to the adversary for reviling:

  • Titus 2:5

    to be sober-minded, chaste, workers at home, kind, being in subjection to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed:

  • Isaiah 3:16

    Moreover Jehovah said, Because the daughters of Zion are haughty, and walk with outstretched necks and wanton eyes, walking and mincing as they go, and making a tinkling with their feet;

  • Ruth 2:2

    And Ruth the Moabitess said unto Naomi, Let me now go to the field, and glean among the ears of grain after him in whose sight I shall find favor. And she said unto her, Go, my daughter.

  • 2 Thessalonians 3:10

    For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, If any will not work, neither let him eat.

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