God’s Word Translation
Proverbs 31:30
30“Charm is deceptive, and beauty evaporates, ⌞but⌟ a woman who has the fear of the Lord should be praised.
Proverbs 31:30 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised.
- New International Version (NIV)Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.
- English Standard Version (ESV)Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.
- New King James Version (NKJV)Charm is deceitful and beauty is passing, But a woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised.
Context of Proverbs 31:30
28Her children and her husband stand up and bless her. In addition, he sings her praises, by saying, 29‘Many women have done noble work, but you have surpassed them all!’ “Charm is deceptive, and beauty evaporates, ⌞but⌟ a woman who has the fear of the Lord should be praised. 31Reward her for what she has done, and let her achievements praise her at the city gates.”
Read all of Proverbs 31Proverbs 31:30 word by word
שֶׁ֣קֶר הַ֭חֵן וְהֶ֣בֶל הַיֹּ֑פִי אִשָּׁ֥ה יִרְאַת־יְ֝הוָ֗ה הִ֣יא תִתְהַלָּֽל׃Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
Cross-references for Proverbs 31:30
- Proverbs 6:25Do not desire her beauty in your heart. Do not let her catch you with her eyes.
- Proverbs 11:22⌞Like⌟ a gold ring in a pig’s snout, ⌞so⌟ is a beautiful woman who lacks good taste.
- 2 Samuel 14:25Now, no one in all Israel was praised for his good looks as much as Absalom was. He had no blemish from head to toe.
- Esther 1:11to bring Queen Vashti in front of the king, wearing her royal crown. He wanted to show the people, especially the officials, her beauty, because she was very attractive.
- Ezekiel 16:15“ ‘But you trusted your beauty, and you used your fame to become a prostitute. You had sex with everyone who walked by.
- James 1:11The sun rises with its scorching heat and dries up plants. The flowers drop off, and the beauty is gone. The same thing will happen to rich people. While they are busy, they will die.
- 1 Peter 1:24“All people are like grass, and all their beauty is like a flower of the field. The grass dries up and the flower drops off,
- Proverbs 1:7The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge. Stubborn fools despise wisdom and discipline.
- Proverbs 8:13To fear the Lord is to hate evil. I hate pride, arrogance, evil behavior, and twisted speech.
- Exodus 1:17However, the midwives feared God and didn’t obey the king of Egypt’s orders. They let the boys live.
- Psalms 147:11The Lord is pleased with those who fear him, with those who wait with hope for his mercy.
- Luke 1:6Zechariah and Elizabeth had God’s approval. They followed all the Lord’s commands and regulations perfectly.
- 1 Peter 3:4Rather, beauty is something internal that can’t be destroyed. Beauty expresses itself in a gentle and quiet attitude which God considers precious.
- Ecclesiastes 7:18It’s good to hold on to the one and not let go of the other, because the one who fears God will be able to avoid both extremes.
- Ecclesiastes 12:13After having heard it all, this is the conclusion: Fear God, and keep his commands, because this applies to everyone.
- Romans 2:29Rather, a person is a Jew inwardly, and circumcision is something that happens in a person’s heart. Circumcision is spiritual, not just a written rule. That person’s praise will come from God, not from people.
Commentaries on Proverbs 31:30
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 30Favor is deceitful, and beauty is vain, etc. - III. Here is the summing up of the character. 1. Favour, חן chen, grace of manner may be deceitful, many a fair appearance of this kind is put on, assumed for certain secular or more unworthy purposes; it is learned by painful drilling in polished seminaries, and, being the effect of mere physical discipline, it continues while the restraint lasts; but it is שקר sheker, a lie, a mere semblance, an outward…Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 30The last lesson of the book is the same as the first. The fear of the Lord is the condition of all womanly, as well as of all manly, excellence. sa180Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 10-31Verses 10-31 This is the description of a virtuous woman of those days, but the general outlines equally suit every age and nation. She is very careful to recommend herself to her husband's esteem and affection, to know his mind, and is willing that he rule over her. 1. She can be trusted, and he will leave such a wife to manage for him. He is happy in her. And she makes it her constant business to do him good. 2. She is one that takes pains in her…Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 30-31The book ends as it started, emphasizing the importance of fearing the Lord (see Proverbs 1:7). A woman's character matters more than her physical beauty.Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 10-3110-31. This exquisite picture of a truly lovely wife is conceived and drawn in accordance with the customs of Eastern nations, but its moral teachings suit all climes. In Hebrew the verses begin with the letters of the Hebrew alphabet in order (compare Introduction to Poetical Books). Who ... woman--The question implies that such are rare, though not entirely wanting (compare Pr 18:22; 19:14). virtuous--literally, "of strength," that is, moral courage…Read the comment
Topics related to Proverbs 31:30
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on Proverbs 31
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
- Tyndale Open Study Notes
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
- Rashi on Tanakh
- Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
- John Wesley’s Notes
- Darby Translation Notes
- Geneva Bible Translation Notes
- Kingcomments
- Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
- Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
- Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
- Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
God’s Word Translation — © 1995 God’s Word to the Nations Bible Society
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