"The Need for Mothers" Proverbs 31:1-31

Main focus: the greatest need for mothers, is Jesus Christ. Mother’s tend to put far too much weight on themselves, weight that is not theirs to carry. Do not take up the world’s remedies to help cope with the trials of Motherhood. “Take up your cross daily”, His burden is light.

Proverbs 31:1 ESV

The words of King Lemuel. An oracle that his mother taught him:

Proverbs 31:2 ESV

What are you doing, my son? What are you doing, son of my womb? What are you doing, son of my vows?

Proverbs 31:3 ESV

Do not give your strength to women, your ways to those who destroy kings.

Proverbs 31:4 ESV

It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine, or for rulers to take strong drink,

Proverbs 31:5 ESV

lest they drink and forget what has been decreed and pervert the rights of all the afflicted.

Proverbs 31:6 ESV

Give strong drink to the one who is perishing, and wine to those in bitter distress;

Proverbs 31:7–8 ESV

let them drink and forget their poverty and remember their misery no more. Open your mouth for the mute, for the rights of all who are destitute.

Proverbs 31:9–10 ESV

Open your mouth, judge righteously, defend the rights of the poor and needy. An excellent wife who can find? She is far more precious than jewels.

Proverbs 31:11–12 ESV

The heart of her husband trusts in her, and he will have no lack of gain. She does him good, and not harm, all the days of her life.

Proverbs 31:13–14 ESV

She seeks wool and flax, and works with willing hands. She is like the ships of the merchant; she brings her food from afar.

Proverbs 31:15–16 ESV

She rises while it is yet night and provides food for her household and portions for her maidens. She considers a field and buys it; with the fruit of her hands she plants a vineyard.

Proverbs 31:17–18 ESV

She dresses herself with strength and makes her arms strong. She perceives that her merchandise is profitable. Her lamp does not go out at night.

Proverbs 31:19–20 ESV

She puts her hands to the distaff, and her hands hold the spindle. She opens her hand to the poor and reaches out her hands to the needy.

Proverbs 31:21–23 ESV

She is not afraid of snow for her household, for all her household are clothed in scarlet. She makes bed coverings for herself; her clothing is fine linen and purple. Her husband is known in the gates when he sits among the elders of the land.

Proverbs 31:24–26 ESV

She makes linen garments and sells them; she delivers sashes to the merchant. Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she laughs at the time to come. She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.

Proverbs 31:27–29 ESV

She looks well to the ways of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness. Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: “Many women have done excellently, but you surpass them all.”

Proverbs 31:30 ESV

Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.

Proverbs 31:31 ESV

Give her of the fruit of her hands, and let her works praise her in the gates.