Proverbs 31 Rewritten

During 2020, my church did an exercise with the book of Psalms where the whole church collectively wrote a single Psalm in their own words. This was something I wouldn't have dared done otherwise in fear I might mess up what the Bible had to say, but somehow writing the beginning of this Psalm out along with the rest of the church made it feel relatable in a way I hadn't experienced before with God's word.

Doing so, allowed me to see the word the way we interpreted it both as a church and individually and it opened the doors to digesting our own individual interpretations of what we read by allowing ourselves to see and evaluate what our own thoughts on the scripture was.

To this day, I would still hold any words that we change from the word of God loosely as the original was written with a purpose and it is not our interpretation that holds true. During this time rewriting scriptures allowed me to find the deeper meaning that I saw within them and it was here that I found a purpose behind rewriting scripture for personal use in order to digest what my thoughts were on it. I went home and finished that Psalm we had started in church and then started on another and then another until I thought, "what if I wrote out the whole book of Psalms this way?"

Sure enough, a little less than a year later my Bible time had been focused on rewriting a Psalm a day.

Below is my interpretation of Proverbs 31 because I think so many of us need an interpretation today that we can relate to. For such a long time this was not my favorite piece of scripture if I am being honest, it felt like work... a TODO list... an impossibility, but I am here to remind you (and myself) that it isn't that at all. Proverbs 31 is a goal for the ultimate female lifestyle that I believe every woman is designed to live and serve in. This chapter is on the basics of how to grow as woman in a culture that is screaming at women and girls who and what to be. Take the words below as a sign, in the same way we know our relationship with God shouldn't feel like work these words also shouldn't feel like a task.

See it as goal for you to achieve in order to grow and as rare is it might be to find one of these evaluate your life and someone you believe resembles this lifestyle in today's culture.

Below is my version and then the NIV version that I have pulled from. Please feel free to rewrite these or use this technique with your own studies and any version that best suites you.

Please do not take my interpretation in any way, form, or fashion as taking exactly everything from the original. This is an aid to my own personal study that I am sharing with you to hopefully aid you in your personal studies.

Proverbs 31 (Katie' s Version)

The words of the King Lemuel based off of what his mother taught him.

Listen to me my dear son. You are the answer to my prayers.

Don't spend your strength on women and health on those who pull down kings and kingdoms.

It isn't for kings and rulers to drink, if they do they will forget the words they have committed to and take away rights to those who need them the most.

Let the drinks be for those facing death or great pain.

Let them drink and forget how poor they are and the misery they are in.

Speak up for those who don't have a voice themselves.

Speak up for those who are poor.

Speak up and judge them fairly.

Defend those who are poor and in need.

The Wife of Noble Character

Who can find a wife of noble character?

She is more rare than rubies.

She lacks nothing of value and her husband has confidence in who she is.

She brings him only good all the days of her life.

She acquires what she needs and works with the gladness to do so.

She brings food from far away and difficult places.

She rises early in the morning to provide food for the family and those who serve and assist her.

She uses the money she earned to make her life better and carefully makes decisions as to what she will do with it. She will then continue growing even after the decisions are made.

She works with health and energy to get things done and is strong to do the work laid before her.

She makes sure that her work makes a profit and that she maintains what is needed to move forward for each day.

She provides clothing through her hard work.

She is there for those who are in poor and in need.

When it gets cold/stormy her family has what they need to stay warm & dry because they have the best to take care of them.

She provides what is needed for the bed and home.

She is clothed richly also.

Her husband is respected in the city and sits with those who are wise and lead.

She sells what she makes and those who stop by also buy from her.

She is covered in strength and self-respect.

She has no worry/fear of what is to come because of her preparedness and trust in the Lord. She can laugh at whatever may come her way.

She has wisdom and faithful teachings to give.

She watches over her family and what they do. She is actively involved and does not avoid work.

Her children call her blessed and her husband admires her also saying, "Many women do noble things, but what you do is so above and beyond it surpasses all others."

Charm lies to you and beauty is for a time, but a woman who knows and fear God is to be admired.

Give her great respect for what she has done and let all that she has done be admired at the heart of the city.

Proverbs 31 (NIV*) - The OG (Original)

"The sayings of King Lemuel—an inspired utterance his mother taught him.

2 Listen, my son! Listen, son of my womb! Listen, my son, the answer to my prayers! 3 Do not spend your strength[a] on women, your vigor on those who ruin kings.

4 It is not for kings, Lemuel— it is not for kings to drink wine, not for rulers to crave beer, 5 lest they drink and forget what has been decreed, and deprive all the oppressed of their rights. 6 Let beer be for those who are perishing, wine for those who are in anguish! 7 Let them drink and forget their poverty and remember their misery no more.

8 Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. 9 Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy.

Epilogue: The Wife of Noble Character

10 [b]A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies. 11 Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value. 12 She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life. 13 She selects wool and flax and works with eager hands. 14 She is like the merchant ships, bringing her food from afar. 15 She gets up while it is still night; she provides food for her family and portions for her female servants. 16 She considers a field and buys it; out of her earnings she plants a vineyard. 17 She sets about her work vigorously; her arms are strong for her tasks. 18 She sees that her trading is profitable, and her lamp does not go out at night. 19 In her hand she holds the distaff and grasps the spindle with her fingers. 20 She opens her arms to the poor and extends her hands to the needy. 21 When it snows, she has no fear for her household; for all of them are clothed in scarlet. 22 She makes coverings for her bed; she is clothed in fine linen and purple. 23 Her husband is respected at the city gate, where he takes his seat among the elders of the land. 24 She makes linen garments and sells them, and supplies the merchants with sashes. 25 She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come. 26 She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue. 27 She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness. 28 Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: 29 “Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all.” 30 Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised. 31 Honor her for all that her hands have done, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.