Proverbs 31 Comparison: Noyes Translation (1869) vs King James Version
Proverbs 31
1The words given to King Lemuel; the prophecy which his mother taught him.
2What, O my son! and what, O son of my womb! Yea, what, O son of my vows! [shall I say to thee?]
3Give not thy strength to 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 to desire strong drink;
5Lest they drink, and forget the law, And pervert the rights of any of the afflicted.
6Give strong drink to him who is ready to perish, And wine to him that hath a heavy heart;
7Let him drink and forget his poverty, And remember his misery no more!
8Open thy mouth for the dumb, In the cause of every orphan!
9Open thy mouth, judge righteously, And maintain the cause of the poor and needy!
10Who can find a capable woman? Her worth is far above pearls.
11The heart of her husband trusteth in her, And he is in no want of gain.
12She doeth 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 while it is yet night, And giveth food to her family, And a task to her maidens.
16She layeth a plan for a field, and buyeth it; With the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard.
17She girdeth her loins with strength, And maketh strong her arms.
18She perceiveth how pleasant is her gain, And her lamp is not extinguished in the night.
19She putteth forth her hands to the distaff, And her hands take hold of the spindle.
20She spreadeth out her hand to the poor, Yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy.
21She hath no fear for her household on account of the snow, For all her household are clothed with crimson.
22She maketh for herself coverlets; Her clothing is of fine linen and purple.
23Her husband is known in the gates, When he sitteth with the elders of the land.
24She maketh linen garments and selleth them, And delivereth girdles to the merchant.
25Strength and honor are her clothing; And she laugheth at the days to come.
26She openeth her mouth with wisdom, And kind instruction is upon her tongue.
27She looketh well to the ways of her household, And eateth not the bread of idleness.
28Her children rise up, and extol her; Her husband, and praiseth her, [saving,]
29"Many daughters have done, virtuously, But thou excellest them all."
30Grace is deceitful, and beauty vain; But the woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised.
31Give ye her of the fruit of her hands, And let her works praise 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 Noyes Translation (1869) vs King James Version in Proverbs 31
Noyes Translation (1869) (Noyes)
A scholarly 1869 translation by George R. Noyes, aiming for precision and literary beauty. Known for its distinct Unitarian perspective and separate translation of poetical books like Psalms.
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 Noyes Translation (1869) 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 layeth a plan for a field, and buyeth it; With the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard."
"She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard."
