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Proverbs 31:10
New American Bible (Revised Edition)
Proverbs 31:10
New American Bible (Revised Edition)
IX. Poem on the Woman of Worth[a]
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- 31:10–31 An acrostic poem of twenty-two lines; each line begins with a successive letter of the Hebrew alphabet. As with many other acrostic poems in the Bible, the unity of the poem is largely extrinsic, coming not from the narrative logic but from the familiar sequence of letters. The topic is the ideal woman described through her activity as a wife. Some have suggested that the traditional hymn extolling the great deeds of a warrior has been transposed to extol a heroic wife; the focus is on her exploits. She runs a household distinguished by abundant food and clothing for all within, by its trade (import of raw materials and export of finished products), and by the renown of its head, her husband, in the community. At v. 28, the voice is no longer that of the narrator but of her children and husband as they praise her. The purpose of the poem has been interpreted variously: an encomium to offset the sometimes negative portrayal of women in the book, or, more symbolically (and more likely), a portrait of a household ruled by Woman Wisdom and a disciple of Woman Wisdom, i.e., he now has a worthy wife and children, a great household, renown in the community.
- 31:10 Who can find…?: in 20:6 and Eccl 8:1 the question implies that finding such a person is well-nigh impossible.
Ben Sira 21:1
New American Bible (Revised Edition)
Ben Sira 21:1
New American Bible (Revised Edition)
Chapter 21
Dangers from Sin[a]
1 My child, if you have sinned, do so no more,
and for your past sins pray to be forgiven.
Ben Sira 21:16
New American Bible (Revised Edition)
Ben Sira 21:16
New American Bible (Revised Edition)
16 A fool’s chatter is like a load on a journey,
but delight is to be found on the lips of the intelligent.
New American Bible (Revised Edition) (NABRE)
Scripture texts, prefaces, introductions, footnotes and cross references used in this work are taken from the New American Bible, revised edition © 2010, 1991, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Inc., Washington, DC All Rights Reserved. No part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.