Proverbs 31 Comparison: Wycliffe Bible (1395) vs King James Version
Proverbs 31
1The wordis of Lamuel, the king; the visioun bi which his modir tauyte hym.
2What my derlyng? what the derlyng of my wombe? what the derlyng of my desiris?
3Yyue thou not thi catel to wymmen, and thi richessis to do awei kyngis.
4A! Lamuel, nyle thou yiue wyn to kingis; for no pryuete is, where drunkenesse regneth.
5Lest perauenture thei drynke, and foryete domes, and chaunge the cause of the sones of a pore man.
6Yyue ye sidur to hem that morenen, and wyn to hem that ben of bitter soule.
7Drinke thei, and foryete thei her nedinesse; and thenke thei no more on her sorewe.
8Opene thi mouth for a doumb man,
9and opene thi mouth for the causes of alle sones that passen forth. Deme thou that that is iust, and deme thou a nedi man and a pore man.
10Who schal fynde a stronge womman? the prijs of her is fer, and fro the laste endis.
11The herte of hir hosebond tristith in hir; and sche schal not haue nede to spuylis.
12Sche schal yelde to hym good, and not yuel, in alle the daies of hir lijf.
13Sche souyte wolle and flex; and wrouyte bi the counsel of hir hondis.
14Sche is maad as the schip of a marchaunt, that berith his breed fro fer.
15And sche roos bi nyyt, and yaf prey to hir meyneals, and metis to hir handmaidis.
16Sche bihelde a feeld, and bouyte it; of the fruyt of hir hondis sche plauntide a vyner.
17Sche girde hir leendis with strengthe, and made strong hir arm.
18Sche taastide, and siy, that hir marchaundie was good; hir lanterne schal not be quenchid in the niyt.
19Sche putte hir hondis to stronge thingis, and hir fyngris token the spyndil.
20Sche openyde hir hond to a nedi man, and stretchide forth hir hondis to a pore man.
21Sche schal not drede for hir hous of the cooldis of snow; for alle hir meyneals ben clothid with double clothis.
22Sche made to hir a ray cloth; bijs and purpur is the cloth of hir.
23Hir hosebonde is noble in the yatis, whanne he sittith with the senatours of erthe.
24Sche made lynnun cloth, and selde; and yaf a girdil to a Chananei.
25Strengthe and fairnesse is the clothing of hir; and sche schal leiye in the laste dai.
26Sche openyde hir mouth to wisdom; and the lawe of merci is in hir tunge.
27Sche bihelde the pathis of hir hous; and sche eet not breed idili.
28Hir sones risiden, and prechiden hir moost blessid; hir hosebonde roos, and preiside hir.
29Many douytris gaderiden richessis; thou passidist alle.
30Fairnesse is disseiuable grace, and veyn; thilke womman, that dredith the Lord, schal be preisid.
31Yyue ye to hir of the fruyt of hir hondis; and hir werkis preise hir in the yatis.
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 Wycliffe Bible (1395) vs King James Version in Proverbs 31
Wycliffe Bible (1395) (Wycliffe)
The first complete English translation of the Bible (1395) by John Wycliffe and his followers. Translated from the Latin Vulgate. A landmark in English history and the Reformation.
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 Wycliffe Bible (1395) and King James Version. Comparing these two versions can help shed light on the nuances of the original text.
Key Comparison: Proverbs 31:16
"Sche bihelde a feeld, and bouyte it; of the fruyt of hir hondis sche plauntide a vyner."
"She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard."
