Proverbs 31 Comparison: Geneva Bible 1599 vs King James Version
Proverbs 31
1THE WORDS OF KING LEMUEL: The prophecie which his mother taught him.
2What my sonne! and what ye sonne of my wombe! and what, O sonne of my desires!
3Giue not thy strength vnto women, nor thy wayes, which is to destroy Kings.
4It is not for Kings, O Lemuel, it is not for Kings to drink wine nor for princes strog drinke,
5Lest he drinke and forget the decree, and change the iudgement of all the children of affliction.
6Giue ye strong drinke vnto him that is readie to perish, and wine vnto them that haue griefe of heart.
7Let him drinke, that he may forget his pouertie, and remember his miserie no more.
8Open thy mouth for the domme in the cause of all the children of destruction.
9Open thy mouth: iudge righteously, and iudge the afflicted, and the poore.
10Who shall finde a vertuous woman? for her price is farre aboue the pearles.
11The heart of her husband trusteth in her, and he shall haue no neede of spoyle.
12She will doe him good, and not euill all the dayes of her life.
13She seeketh wooll and flaxe, and laboureth cheerefully with her handes.
14She is like the shippes of marchants: shee bringeth her foode from afarre.
15And she riseth, whiles it is yet night: and giueth the portion to her houshold, and the ordinarie to her maides.
16She considereth a field, and getteth it: and with the fruite of her handes she planteth a vineyarde.
17She girdeth her loynes with strength, and strengtheneth her armes.
18She feeleth that her marchandise is good: her candle is not put out by night.
19She putteth her handes to the wherue, and her handes handle the spindle.
20She stretcheth out her hand to the poore, and putteth foorth her hands to the needie.
21She feareth not the snowe for her familie: for all her familie is clothed with skarlet.
22She maketh her selfe carpets: fine linen and purple is her garment.
23Her husband is knowen in the gates, when he sitteth with the Elders of the land.
24She maketh sheetes, and selleth them, and giueth girdels vnto the marchant.
25Strength and honour is her clothing, and in the latter day she shall reioyce.
26She openeth her mouth with wisdome, and the lawe of grace is in her tongue.
27She ouerseeth the wayes of her housholde, and eateth not the bread of ydlenes.
28Her children rise vp, and call her blessed: her husband also shall prayse her, saying,
29Many daughters haue done vertuously: but thou surmountest them all.
30Fauour is deceitfull, and beautie is vanitie: but a woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praysed.
31Giue her of the fruite of her hands, and let her owne workes prayse her in the gates.
Proverbs 31
1The words of king Lemuel, the prophecy that his mother taught him.
2What, my son? and what, the son of my womb? and what, the son of my vows?
3Give not thy strength unto women, nor thy ways to that which destroyeth kings.
4It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine; nor for princes strong drink:
5Lest they drink, and forget the law, and pervert the judgment of any of the afflicted.
6Give strong drink unto him that is ready to perish, and wine unto those that be of heavy hearts.
7Let him drink, and forget his poverty, and remember his misery no more.
8Open thy mouth for the dumb in the cause of all such as are appointed to destruction.
9Open thy mouth, judge righteously, and plead the cause of the poor and needy.
10Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.
11The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil.
12She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life.
13She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands.
14She is like the merchants’ ships; she bringeth her food from afar.
15She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens.
16She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard.
17She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms.
18She perceiveth that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out by night.
19She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff.
20She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy.
21She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household are clothed with scarlet.
22She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple.
23Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land.
24She maketh fine linen, and selleth it; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant.
25Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come.
26She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness.
27She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness.
28Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her.
29Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all.
30Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised.
31Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates.
Understanding Geneva Bible 1599 vs King James Version in Proverbs 31
Geneva Bible 1599 (Geneva1599)
An influential Reformation-era English Bible used widely in early modern Protestantism. Known for its historic impact and distinctive style. Great for readers exploring classic English and the heritage of early study Bibles.
King James Version (KJV)
The classic 1611 English translation known for its majestic prose and literary influence. Ideal for traditional study and memorization thanks to its formal style. A foundational English Bible used for centuries.
You are viewing a side-by-side comparison of Proverbs 31 in the Geneva Bible 1599 and King James Version. Comparing these two versions can help shed light on the nuances of the original text.
Key Comparison: Proverbs 31:16
"She considereth a field, and getteth it: and with the fruite of her handes she planteth a vineyarde."
"She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard."
