My Tribute for Today’s Proverbs 31 Woman
Just having a little fun today… Looking at Proverbs 31 and imagining what today’s version would be. Are you a modern woman? Whatever that is…
Will you have some fun and play along with me?
The Modern Proverbs 31 Woman:
Proverbs 31 –
The words of King Lemuel, the oracle which his mother taught him. What, O my son? And what, O son of my womb? And what O son of my vows?
[Listen kid, don’t be stupid. Us moms know what a good young lady looks like. Listen to Mom, men. How many of us moms knew when the “wrong” gal came along? Ahem.]
Do not give your strength to women, or your ways to that which destroys kings. It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine, or for rulers to desire strong drink, for they drink and forget what is decreed, and pervert the rights of all the afflicted. Give strong drink to him who is perishing, and wine to him whose life is bitter. Let him drink and forget his poverty, and remember his trouble no more.
[Young men, think twice before you go out partying – drinking alcohol and losing your wits, and then, hooking up with random girls. You might have to pay for that baloney later—in child support. Ain’t nobody gonna like that.]
Open your mouth for the mute, for the rights of all the unfortunate. Open your mouth, judge righteously, and defend the rights of the afflicted and needy.
[Men, don’t be a selfish jerk. Think about the rights of others and care about the needy.]
An excellent wife, who can find? For her worth is far above jewels.
[Finding a good wife is not easy. If you snatch a good one treat her well and cherish her. And don’t forget to brag about her to your family and friends.]
The heart of her husband trusts in her, and he will have no lack of gain. She does him good and not evil all the days of her life.
[Ladies, don’t talk smack about your husband! Ever! Do you want him to trust you and confide in you? Praise him in public. Praise him in private. Be his cheerleader. And be good to him. Every. Day.]
She looks for wool and flax and works with her hands in delight. She is like merchant ships; she brings her food from afar. She rises also while it is still night and gives food to her household and portions to her maidens. She considers a field and buys it; from her earnings she plants a vineyard. She girds herself with strength and makes her arms strong. She senses that her gain is good; her lamp does not go out at night. She stretches out her hands to the distaff, and her hands grasp the spindle.
[She gets up early to swing by Starbucks on her way to buy groceries for the week and buys the fruit that’s on sale and lugs all the heavy bags in and does the laundry and stays up late with her husband to watch Jimmy Fallon and gets up to feed the baby in the middle of the night.]
She extends her hand to the poor, and she stretches out her hands to the needy.
[She helps those who are in need and she takes her kids out for lunch as often as possible.]
She is not afraid of the snow for her household, for all her household are clothed with scarlet. She makes coverings for herself; her clothing is fine linen and purple.
[She shops at Nordstrom Rack and makes sure her kids have warm jackets and rain boots.]
Her husband is known in the gates, when he sits among the elders of the land.
[Again, she doesn’t talk smack and she’s got his back, so he can flourish.]
She makes linen garments and sells them, and supplies belts to the tradesmen. Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she smiles at the future.
[She prepares for the future, trusts God with uncertainties, and therefore has no reason to worry.]
She opens her mouth in wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.
[Any fellow ADD people out there? This one can be a challenge for us. Sometimes I blurt out “stuff” before I think it through. Oops! Pause. Think. Breathe. The wise woman opens her mouth with grace mixed with love.]
She looks well to the ways of her household, and does not eat the bread of idleness.
[She picks up her husband’s socks, pushes the button the on dishwasher, and buys flowers for her home.]
Her children rise up and bless her;
[When her children are grown they take her for coffee, call home, help clean up after dinner, buy her flowers, surprise her with a birthday dinner, help her with computer challenges, make her laugh, give her more joy than any woman could possibly imagine. A BIG THANK YOU TO MY KIDS AND MARRIED-IN KIDS! I love you all.]
Her husband also, and he praises her, saying: “Many daughters have done nobly, but you excel them all.”
[Her husband comes home at the end of the day happy to see her and buys her many pretty dresses. And doesn’t get mad when she forgets to do the laundry.]
Charm is deceitful and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the LORD, she shall be praised. Give her the product of her hands, and let her works praise her in the gates.
[Beauty starts on the inside with fearing God and loving God and others. After many years of serving God a “well done” awaits her in heaven. As she ages she can sit with her feet up because her kids come to visit and her husband is sitting by her side.]
Thank you, friend, for playing along.
Lucille Williams is the author of “From Me to We” and “The Intimacy You Crave: Straight Talk about Sex and Pancakes” order a copy today to enhance your marriage. Subscribe to LuSays.com for weekly encouragement.
