Devine Scripture

Proverbs 31:30

What does Proverbs 31:30 mean?

A plain-English look at Proverbs 31:30 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Proverbs 31:30 means

This verse succinctly summarizes the ultimate source of the worthy woman's true value, contrasting it with superficial qualities. "Grace is deceitful, and beauty is vain" declares that outward charm or physical attractiveness are fleeting and can be misleading, failing to represent a person's true character. In stark contrast, "a woman that feareth Jehovah, she shall be praised." This fear is not terror, but reverent awe and obedience to God, establishing her devotion as the foundational quality that provides lasting praise, spiritual depth, and true worth.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

Grace is deceitful, and beauty is vain; Buta woman that feareth Jehovah, she shall be praised.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

Grace is deceitful, and beauty is vain; Buta woman that feareth Jehovah, she shall be praised.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

Fair looks are a deceit, and a beautiful form is of no value; but a woman who has the fear of the Lord is to be praised.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

The grace <FI>is<Fi> false, and the beauty <FI>is<Fi> vain, A woman fearing Jehovah, she may boast herself.

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: the woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

Gracefulness is deceitful and beauty is vain; a woman [that] feareth Jehovah, she shall be praised.

Context

Following the husband's lavish praise for his wife in verse 29, this verse offers the foundational theological explanation for her excellence. It distinguishes between fleeting, superficial qualities (grace and beauty) and the enduring, profound value of a woman who fears the Lord. This theological anchor then leads into the final verse, which calls for her to be publicly honored for her actions.

v.29Many daughters have done worthily, But thou excellest them all.

v.30This passage

v.31Give her of the fruit of her hands; And let her works praise her in the gates.

Cross references

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

  • 2 Samuel 14:25

    Now in all Israel there was none to be so much praised as Absalom for his beauty: from the sole of his foot even to the crown of his head there was no blemish in him.

  • Esther 1:11

    to bring Vashti the queen before the king with the crown royal, to show the peoples and the princes her beauty; for she was fair to look on.

  • 1 Peter 1:24

    For, All flesh is as grass, And all the glory thereof as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower falleth:

  • 1 Corinthians 4:5

    Wherefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who will both bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and make manifest the counsels of the hearts; and then shall each man have his praise from God.

  • Romans 2:29

    but he is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God.

  • Ezekiel 16:15

    But thou didst trust in thy beauty, and playedst the harlot because of thy renown, and pouredst out thy whoredoms on every one that passed by; his it was.

Related questions readers ask

Keep reading

Want to dig deeper? Explore Proverbs 31

Hand-picked devotionals, topical studies, and pastoral answers that draw on Proverbs 31.

Keep exploring

Follow this verse across Scripture

Topics, devotionals, original-language word studies, and figures connected to Proverbs 31:30.

Browse every hub

BibleTopicsBible answersDevotionalsFamous passagesWord studiesPeoplePlacesVerses for…Reading plansCommentary