New Living Translation
Proverbs 31:20
20She extends a helping hand to the poor and opens her arms to the needy.
Proverbs 31:20 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy.
- New International Version (NIV)She opens her arms to the poor and extends her hands to the needy.
- English Standard Version (ESV)She opens her hand to the poor and reaches out her hands to the needy.
- New King James Version (NKJV)She extends her hand to the poor, Yes, she reaches out her hands to the needy.
Context of Proverbs 31:20
18She makes sure her dealings are profitable; her lamp burns late into the night. 19Her hands are busy spinning thread, her fingers twisting fiber. She extends a helping hand to the poor and opens her arms to the needy. 21She has no fear of winter for her household, for everyone has warm clothes. 22She makes her own bedspreads. She dresses in fine linen and purple gowns.
Read all of Proverbs 31Proverbs 31:20 word by word
כַּ֭פָּהּ פָּרְשָׂ֣ה לֶעָנִ֑י וְ֝יָדֶ֗יהָ שִׁלְּחָ֥ה לָֽאֶבְיֽוֹן׃Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
Cross-references for Proverbs 31:20
- Proverbs 1:24“I called you so often, but you wouldn’t come. I reached out to you, but you paid no attention.
- Romans 10:21But regarding Israel, God said, “All day long I opened my arms to them, but they were disobedient and rebellious.”
- Proverbs 19:17If you help the poor, you are lending to the Lord— and he will repay you!
- Proverbs 22:9Blessed are those who are generous, because they feed the poor.
- Job 31:16“Have I refused to help the poor, or crushed the hopes of widows?
- Psalms 41:1Oh, the joys of those who are kind to the poor! The Lord rescues them when they are in trouble.
- Psalms 112:9They share freely and give generously to those in need. Their good deeds will be remembered forever. They will have influence and honor.
- Ecclesiastes 11:1Send your grain across the seas, and in time, profits will flow back to you.
- Mark 14:7You will always have the poor among you, and you can help them whenever you want to. But you will not always have me.
- Acts 9:39So Peter returned with them; and as soon as he arrived, they took him to the upstairs room. The room was filled with widows who were weeping and showing him the coats and other clothes Dorcas had made for them.
- Acts 20:34You know that these hands of mine have worked to supply my own needs and even the needs of those who were with me.
- Ephesians 4:28If you are a thief, quit stealing. Instead, use your hands for good hard work, and then give generously to others in need.
- Hebrews 13:16And don’t forget to do good and to share with those in need. These are the sacrifices that please God.
Commentaries on Proverbs 31:20
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 20She stretcheth out her hand to the poor - 11. She is truly charitable. She knows that in every portion of a man's gain God requires a lot for the poor; and if this is not given, God's blessing is not in the rest. And she is not contented to give common alms. While with one hand (יד yad ) she relieves the general poor, with both hands (ידיה yadeyha ) she gives to the needy, לעני leaney, to the afflicted poor.Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 20The industry is not selfish, but bears the fruit of an open-handed charity.Read 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. 19-21A virtuous wife is generous to the poor, which is also a trait of wise people (Proverbs 11:24–26; 21:13; 22:9, 16, 22–23; 28:27).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 31:20
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
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