Pro 31:10-31 | TNotes | STEP | Summary for Prov 31:10-31: 31:10-31 Proverbs ends with a powerful poem celebrating the virtuous wife. The poem’s acrostic arrangement gives an impression of completeness and provides the student with an aid for learning. Summary for Prov 31:10-12: 31:10-12 No one can find a virtuous and capable wife without God’s help (18:22 ). Such a woman, like wisdom, is more precious than rubies (cp. 3:15 ).

Summary for Prov 31:10-31: 31:10-31 ^a Proverbs ends with a powerful poem celebrating the virtuous wife. The poem’s acrostic arrangement gives an impression of completeness and provides the student with an aid for learning.
Summary for Prov 31:10-12: 31:10-12 ^b No one can find a virtuous and capable wife without God’s help (18:22 ^c). Such a woman, like wisdom, is more precious than rubies (cp. 3:15 ^d).
Summary for Prov 31:13-15: 31:13-15 ^e This wife works to provide food and clothing for her family.
Summary for Prov 31:16-18: 31:16-18 ^f An excellent wife is engaged in commercial enterprises outside her home.
Summary for Prov 31:19-21: 31:19-21 ^g A virtuous wife is generous to the poor, another characteristic of wise people (11:24-26 ^h; 21:13 ⁱ; 22:9 ^j, 16 ^k, 22-23 ^l; 28:27 ^m).
Summary for Prov 31:22-24: 31:22-24 ⁿ A capable wife’s industriousness enables her husband to distinguish himself among community leaders. In ancient Israel, civic leaders met at the city gates to conduct trials and make decisions.
Summary for Prov 31:25-27: 31:25-27 ^o The noble wife’s character exemplifies wisdom. She is coolheaded as she faces future uncertainties. She gives advice in a winsome way.
Summary for Prov 31:28-29: 31:28-29 ^p Those most important to the woman testify to her character, abilities, and achievements.
Summary for Prov 31:30-31: 31:30-31 ^q The book concludes where it began, by affirming the ultimate importance of the fear of the Lord (see 1:7 ^r). A woman’s character is more important than her physical beauty.