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cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad3.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/proverbs/31-2.htm" title="Proverbs 31:2">◄</a> Proverbs 31:3 <a href="/proverbs/31-4.htm" title="Proverbs 31:4">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/proverbs/31.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/proverbs/31.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />Do not spend your strength on women, your vigor on those who ruin kings.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/proverbs/31.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />do not waste your strength on women, on those who ruin kings.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/proverbs/31.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />Do not give your strength to women, your ways to those who destroy kings.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/proverbs/31.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />Do not spend your strength on women or your vigor on those who ruin kings.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/proverbs/31.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />Give not thy strength unto women, nor thy ways to that which destroyeth kings.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/proverbs/31.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />Do not give your strength to women, Nor your ways to that which destroys kings.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/proverbs/31.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />Do not give your strength to women, Or your ways to that which destroys kings.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/proverbs/31.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />Do not give your strength to women, Or your ways to that which destroys kings.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/proverbs/31.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />Do not give your strength to women, Or your ways to that which destroys kings.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/proverbs/31.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />Do not give your excellence to women, Or your ways to that which blots out kings.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/proverbs/31.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />Do not give your [generative] strength to women [neither foreign wives in marriages of alliances, nor concubines], Nor your ways to that which destroys kings.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/proverbs/31.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Don’t spend your energy on women or your efforts on those who destroy kings.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/proverbs/31.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Don&#8217t spend your energy on women or your efforts on those who destroy kings. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/proverbs/31.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />Give not thy strength unto women, Nor thy ways to that which destroyeth kings.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/proverbs/31.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />Don't waste your life chasing after women! This has ruined many kings. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/proverbs/31.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />Give not thy strength unto women, nor thy ways to that which destroyeth kings.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/proverbs/31.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />Don't give your strength to women or your power to those who ruin kings.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/proverbs/31.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />Don't spend all your energy on sex and all your money on women; they have destroyed kings. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/proverbs/31.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />Never devote all your energy to sex, or dedicate your life to destroying kings.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/proverbs/31.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />Do not give your strength to women, nor your ways to that which ruins kings. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/proverbs/31.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />Do not give your strength to women, nor your ways to that which destroys kings.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/proverbs/31.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />Give not thy strength to women, nor thy ways to that which destroyeth kings.<div class="vheading2"><b>Majority Text Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/proverbs/31.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />Do not spend your strength on women or your vigor on those who ruin kings.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/proverbs/31.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />Don’t give your strength to women, nor your ways to that which destroys kings. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/proverbs/31.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />Do not give your strength to women, "" And your ways to wiping away of kings.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/proverbs/31.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> Give not to women thy strength, And thy ways to wiping away of kings.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/proverbs/31.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />Thou shalt not give thy strength to women, and thy ways to the destroying of kings.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/proverbs/31.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />Give not thy substance to women, and thy riches to destroy kings. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/proverbs/31.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />Do not give your substance to women, or your riches to overthrow kings.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/proverbs/31.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Do not give your vigor to women, or your strength to those who ruin kings. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/proverbs/31.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />Do not give your strength to women, your ways to those who destroy kings.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/proverbs/31.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />Give not your strength to women, nor your ways to the extravagance of kings.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/proverbs/31.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />Do not give your strength to women and your ways for the provisions of Kings<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/proverbs/31.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />Give not thy strength unto women, Nor thy ways to that which destroyeth kings.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/proverbs/31.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />Give not thy wealth to women, nor thy mind and living to remorse. Do all things with counsel: drink wine with counsel.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/proverbs/31-3.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/kpUA5ZltBeQ?start=6428" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/proverbs/31.htm">The Words of King Lemuel</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">2</span>What shall I say, O my son? What, O son of my womb? What, O son of my vows? <span class="reftext">3</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/408.htm" title="408: ’al- (Adv) -- Not (a subjective neg.). A negative particle; not; once as a noun, nothing.">Do not</a> <a href="/hebrew/5414.htm" title="5414: tit·tên (V-Qal-Imperf-2ms) -- To give, put, set. A primitive root; to give, used with greatest latitude of application.">spend</a> <a href="/hebrew/2428.htm" title="2428: ḥê·le·ḵā (N-msc:: 2ms) -- From chuwl; probably a force, whether of men, means or other resources; an army, wealth, virtue, valor, strength.">your strength</a> <a href="/hebrew/802.htm" title="802: lan·nā·šîm (Prep-l, Art:: N-fp) -- Woman, wife, female. Feminine of 'iysh or 'enowsh; irregular plural, nashiym; a woman.">on women</a> <a href="/hebrew/1870.htm" title="1870: ū·ḏə·rā·ḵe·ḵā (Conj-w:: N-cpc:: 2ms) -- Way, road, distance, journey, manner. From darak; a road; figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb.">or your vigor</a> <a href="/hebrew/4229.htm" title="4229: lam·ḥō·wṯ (Prep-l:: V-Hifil-Inf) -- To stroke, rub, to erase, to smooth, grease, make fat, to touch, reach to.">on those who ruin</a> <a href="/hebrew/4428.htm" title="4428: mə·lā·ḵîn (N-mp) -- King. From malak; a king.">kings.</a> </span><span class="reftext">4</span>It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine, or for rulers to crave strong drink,…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_kings/11-1.htm">1 Kings 11:1-4</a></span><br />King Solomon, however, loved many foreign women along with the daughter of Pharaoh—women of Moab, Ammon, Edom, and Sidon, as well as Hittite women. / These women were from the nations about which the LORD had told the Israelites, “You must not intermarry with them, for surely they will turn your hearts after their gods.” Yet Solomon clung to these women in love. / He had seven hundred wives of royal birth and three hundred concubines—and his wives turned his heart away. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/nehemiah/13-26.htm">Nehemiah 13:26</a></span><br />Did not King Solomon of Israel sin in matters like this? There was not a king like him among many nations, and he was loved by his God, who made him king over all Israel—yet foreign women drew him into sin.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/judges/16-4.htm">Judges 16:4-21</a></span><br />Some time later, Samson fell in love with a woman in the Valley of Sorek, whose name was Delilah. / The lords of the Philistines went to her and said, “Entice him and find out the source of his great strength and how we can overpower him to tie him up and subdue him. Then each one of us will give you eleven hundred shekels of silver.” / So Delilah said to Samson, “Please tell me the source of your great strength and how you can be tied up and subdued.” ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/25-3.htm">1 Samuel 25:3-38</a></span><br />His name was Nabal, and his wife’s name was Abigail. She was an intelligent and beautiful woman, but her husband, a Calebite, was harsh and evil in his dealings. / While David was in the wilderness, he heard that Nabal was shearing sheep. / So David sent ten young men and instructed them, “Go up to Nabal at Carmel. Greet him in my name ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_samuel/11-1.htm">2 Samuel 11:1-27</a></span><br />In the spring, at the time when kings march out to war, David sent out Joab and his servants with the whole army of Israel. They destroyed the Ammonites and besieged Rabbah, but David remained in Jerusalem. / One evening David got up from his bed and strolled around on the roof of the palace. And from the roof he saw a woman bathing—a very beautiful woman. / So David sent and inquired about the woman, and he was told, “This is Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam and the wife of Uriah the Hittite.” ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_kings/21-25.htm">1 Kings 21:25</a></span><br />(Surely there was never one like Ahab, who sold himself to do evil in the sight of the LORD, incited by his wife Jezebel.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ecclesiastes/7-26.htm">Ecclesiastes 7:26</a></span><br />And I find more bitter than death the woman who is a snare, whose heart is a net, and whose hands are chains. The man who pleases God escapes her, but the sinner is ensnared.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hosea/4-11.htm">Hosea 4:11</a></span><br />to promiscuity, wine, and new wine, which take away understanding.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/17-17.htm">Deuteronomy 17:17</a></span><br />He must not take many wives for himself, lest his heart go astray. He must not accumulate for himself large amounts of silver and gold.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/39-7.htm">Genesis 39:7-12</a></span><br />and after some time his master’s wife cast her eyes upon Joseph and said, “Sleep with me.” / But he refused. “Look,” he said to his master’s wife, “with me here, my master does not concern himself with anything in his house, and he has entrusted everything he owns to my care. / No one in this house is greater than I am. He has withheld nothing from me except you, because you are his wife. So how could I do such a great evil and sin against God?” ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/14-3.htm">Matthew 14:3-11</a></span><br />Now Herod had arrested John and bound him and put him in prison on account of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife, / because John had been telling him, “It is not lawful for you to have her.” / Although Herod wanted to kill John, he was afraid of the people, because they regarded John as a prophet. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/mark/6-17.htm">Mark 6:17-28</a></span><br />For Herod himself had ordered that John be arrested and bound and imprisoned, on account of his brother Philip’s wife Herodias, whom Herod had married. / For John had been telling Herod, “It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife!” / So Herodias held a grudge against John and wanted to kill him. But she had been unable, ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/8-2.htm">Luke 8:2-3</a></span><br />as well as some women who had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities: Mary called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out, / Joanna the wife of Herod’s household manager Chuza, Susanna, and many others. These women were ministering to them out of their own means.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/6-15.htm">1 Corinthians 6:15-20</a></span><br />Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ? Shall I then take the members of Christ and unite them with a prostitute? Never! / Or don’t you know that he who unites himself with a prostitute is one with her in body? For it is said, “The two will become one flesh.” / But he who unites himself with the Lord is one with Him in spirit. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/7-2.htm">1 Corinthians 7:2-5</a></span><br />But because there is so much sexual immorality, each man should have his own wife, and each woman her own husband. / The husband should fulfill his marital duty to his wife, and likewise the wife to her husband. / The wife does not have authority over her own body, but the husband. Likewise the husband does not have authority over his own body, but the wife. ...</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">Give not your strength to women, nor your ways to that which destroys kings.</p><p class="hdg">strength</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/proverbs/5-9.htm">Proverbs 5:9-11</a></b></br> Lest thou give thine honour unto others, and thy years unto the cruel: … </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/proverbs/7-26.htm">Proverbs 7:26,27</a></b></br> For she hath cast down many wounded: yea, many strong <i>men</i> have been slain by her… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/hosea/4-11.htm">Hosea 4:11</a></b></br> Whoredom and wine and new wine take away the heart.</p><p class="hdg">to that</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/deuteronomy/17-17.htm">Deuteronomy 17:17</a></b></br> Neither shall he multiply wives to himself, that his heart turn not away: neither shall he greatly multiply to himself silver and gold.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/nehemiah/13-26.htm">Nehemiah 13:26</a></b></br> Did not Solomon king of Israel sin by these things? yet among many nations was there no king like him, who was beloved of his God, and God made him king over all Israel: nevertheless even him did outlandish women cause to sin.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/proverbs/24-15.htm">Destroy</a> <a href="/proverbs/29-3.htm">Destroyeth</a> <a href="/proverbs/28-24.htm">Destroys</a> <a href="/proverbs/30-14.htm">Destruction</a> <a href="/proverbs/30-28.htm">Kings</a> <a href="/proverbs/26-28.htm">Ruin</a> <a href="/psalms/90-9.htm">Spend</a> <a href="/proverbs/30-25.htm">Strength</a> <a href="/proverbs/5-9.htm">Vigor</a> <a href="/proverbs/30-12.htm">Ways</a> <a href="/2_kings/21-13.htm">Wiping</a> <a href="/proverbs/29-3.htm">Women</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/ecclesiastes/3-6.htm">Destroy</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/7-7.htm">Destroyeth</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/7-7.htm">Destroys</a> <a href="/proverbs/31-6.htm">Destruction</a> <a href="/proverbs/31-4.htm">Kings</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/7-16.htm">Ruin</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/6-12.htm">Spend</a> <a href="/proverbs/31-17.htm">Strength</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/11-10.htm">Vigor</a> <a href="/proverbs/31-27.htm">Ways</a> <a href="/luke/7-38.htm">Wiping</a> <a href="/proverbs/31-29.htm">Women</a><div class="vheading2">Proverbs 31</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/proverbs/31-1.htm">Lemuel's lesson of chastity and temperance</a></span><br><span class="reftext">6. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/proverbs/31-6.htm">The afflicted are to be comforted and defended</a></span><br><span class="reftext">10. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/proverbs/31-10.htm">The praise and properties of a good wife</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/proverbs/31.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/proverbs/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/proverbs/31.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>Do not spend your strength on women</b><br>This phrase advises against the misuse of one's energy and resources on relationships that can lead to moral and spiritual downfall. In the biblical context, this warning is often associated with the dangers of engaging in relationships with women who may lead one away from God’s commandments. Solomon, the attributed author of Proverbs, had personal experience with this issue, as his many marriages to foreign women led him to idolatry (<a href="/1_kings/11.htm">1 Kings 11:1-4</a>). The phrase underscores the importance of maintaining purity and devotion to God, echoing the wisdom found in other scriptures such as <a href="/proverbs/5-3.htm">Proverbs 5:3-5</a>, which warns against the seductive nature of the adulteress.<p><b>or your vigor on those who ruin kings</b><br>This part of the verse highlights the potential for personal relationships to lead to the downfall of leaders. Historically, many kings in the Bible, such as David and Solomon, faced significant challenges due to their relationships with women. The phrase serves as a cautionary reminder of the destructive power of such entanglements. It also reflects the broader biblical theme of the importance of wise and godly leadership, as seen in <a href="/deuteronomy/17-17.htm">Deuteronomy 17:17</a>, where kings are advised not to take many wives, lest their hearts be led astray. The warning is prophetic in nature, as it anticipates the consequences of ignoring divine wisdom, and it points to the need for leaders to seek strength and guidance from God rather than from worldly pleasures.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/k/king_lemuel.htm">King Lemuel</a></b><br>The author of <a href="/bsb/proverbs/31.htm">Proverbs 31</a>, traditionally understood to be a king receiving wisdom from his mother. The identity of Lemuel is not definitively known, but he is often seen as a symbolic figure representing any ruler or leader.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/w/women.htm">Women</a></b><br>In this context, refers to relationships that can lead a man away from his responsibilities and duties, particularly those that can be detrimental to a leader's strength and focus.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/k/kings.htm">Kings</a></b><br>Represents leaders or those in positions of authority who are warned against being led astray by indulgence or distractions that can compromise their leadership.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/g/guard_your_strength.htm">Guard Your Strength</a></b><br>Leaders must be vigilant in protecting their physical, emotional, and spiritual strength from being depleted by unwise relationships or pursuits.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/w/wisdom_in_relationships.htm">Wisdom in Relationships</a></b><br>Choose relationships that build up and support your mission and calling, rather than those that distract or detract from it.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_cost_of_indulgence.htm">The Cost of Indulgence</a></b><br>Recognize the potential cost of indulgence in relationships that can lead to moral and spiritual decline, especially for those in leadership.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/f/focus_on_godly_leadership.htm">Focus on Godly Leadership</a></b><br>A leader's primary focus should be on fulfilling their God-given responsibilities, avoiding distractions that can lead to downfall.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/h/heeding_parental_wisdom.htm">Heeding Parental Wisdom</a></b><br>Value and consider the wisdom and guidance from parents or mentors, as King Lemuel did from his mother.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_proverbs_31.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Proverbs 31</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what's_the_nestle-aland_gnt.htm">What does the Bible say about anxiety and depression?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/is_proverbs_31_an_ideal,_not_a_standard.htm">Could Proverbs 31:10-31 be more of a cultural ideal rather than an achievable standard, considering other biblical teachings on human imperfection?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_do_unguided_armies_win_if_god_grants_victory.htm">Proverbs 21:31: If ultimate victory comes from God rather than human effort, why does history record victories by armies and leaders who seem to have no divine guidance?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/can_anyone_fully_embody_proverbs_31.htm">How can one person realistically fulfill all the ideal qualities described in Proverbs 31:10-31 without ever falling short?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/proverbs/31.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(3) <span class= "bld">Nor thy ways to that which destroyeth kings.</span>--A slight change in the punctuation will give a better sense, "to those that destroy kings," <span class= "ital">i.e.</span>, women. Give not thy life to dissipation at their bidding. (Comp. <a href="/proverbs/6-24.htm" title="To keep you from the evil woman, from the flattery of the tongue of a strange woman.">Proverbs 6:24</a>, <span class= "ital">sqq.</span>; <a href="/1_kings/11-1.htm" title="But king Solomon loved many strange women, together with the daughter of Pharaoh, women of the Moabites, Ammonites, Edomites, Zidonians, and Hittites:">1Kings 11:1</a>).<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/proverbs/31.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 3.</span> <span class="accented">- Exhortation to chastity. <span class="cmt_word"></span>Give not thy strength unto women</span> (comp. <a href="/proverbs/5-9.htm">Proverbs 5:9</a>). <span class="accented">Chayil</span> is "vigour," the bodily powers, which are sapped and enervated by sensuality. The Septuagint has <span class="greek">σὸν πλοῦτον</span>; the Vulgate, <span class="accented">substantiam tuam</span>; but the prayerful, anxious mother would consider rather her son's personal well being than his worldly circumstances, which, indeed, an Eastern monarch's licentiousness would not necessarily impair. Nor thy ways to that which destroyeth kings; or, with a slight alteration in the punctuation (and an improved parallelism), <span class="accented">to</span> <span class="accented">them that destroy kings</span>; "expugnatricibus regum," as Schultens terms them. Women are meant; and the prince is enjoined not to surrender his life, conduct, and actions to the influence of women, who, both by the dissipation and sensuality which they occasion, and the quarrels which they provoke, and the evil counsels which they give, often ruin kings and states (see the injunction, <a href="/deuteronomy/17-11.htm">Deuteronomy 17:11</a>). The Vulgate rendering, <span class="accented">ad delendos reges</span>, looks as if the warning was against making wars of conquest against neighbouring kings; but this is not a satisfactory parallel to the former clause. Septuagint, "Give not thy wealth unto women, nor thy mind, nor thy life unto remorse (<span class="greek">ὑστεροβολίαν</span>). Do all things with counsel; drink wine with counsel." This seems to belong to the next verse. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/proverbs/31-3.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">Do not</span><br /><span class="heb">אַל־</span> <span class="translit">(’al-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adverb<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_408.htm">Strong's 408: </a> </span><span class="str2">Not</span><br /><br /><span class="word">spend</span><br /><span class="heb">תִּתֵּ֣ן</span> <span class="translit">(tit·tên)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5414.htm">Strong's 5414: </a> </span><span class="str2">To give, put, set</span><br /><br /><span class="word">your strength</span><br /><span class="heb">חֵילֶ֑ךָ</span> <span class="translit">(ḥê·le·ḵā)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2428.htm">Strong's 2428: </a> </span><span class="str2">A force, an army, wealth, virtue, valor, strength</span><br /><br /><span class="word">on women</span><br /><span class="heb">לַנָּשִׁ֣ים</span> <span class="translit">(lan·nā·šîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l, Article | Noun - feminine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_802.htm">Strong's 802: </a> </span><span class="str2">Woman, wife, female</span><br /><br /><span class="word">or your vigor</span><br /><span class="heb">וּ֝דְרָכֶ֗יךָ</span> <span class="translit">(ū·ḏə·rā·ḵe·ḵā)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Noun - common plural construct | second person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1870.htm">Strong's 1870: </a> </span><span class="str2">A road, a course of life, mode of action</span><br /><br /><span class="word">on those who ruin</span><br /><span class="heb">לַֽמְח֥וֹת</span> <span class="translit">(lam·ḥō·wṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l | Verb - Hifil - Infinitive construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4229.htm">Strong's 4229: </a> </span><span class="str2">To stroke, rub, to erase, to smooth, grease, make fat, to touch, reach to</span><br /><br /><span class="word">kings.</span><br /><span class="heb">מְלָכִֽין׃</span> <span class="translit">(mə·lā·ḵîn)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4428.htm">Strong's 4428: </a> </span><span class="str2">A king</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/proverbs/31-3.htm">Proverbs 31:3 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/proverbs/31-3.htm">Proverbs 31:3 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/proverbs/31-3.htm">Proverbs 31:3 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/proverbs/31-3.htm">Proverbs 31:3 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/proverbs/31-3.htm">Proverbs 31:3 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/proverbs/31-3.htm">Proverbs 31:3 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/proverbs/31-3.htm">Proverbs 31:3 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/proverbs/31-3.htm">Proverbs 31:3 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/proverbs/31-3.htm">Proverbs 31:3 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/proverbs/31-3.htm">Proverbs 31:3 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/proverbs/31-3.htm">OT Poetry: Proverbs 31:3 Don't give your strength to women (Prov. Pro Pr) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/proverbs/31-2.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Proverbs 31:2"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Proverbs 31:2" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/proverbs/31-4.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Proverbs 31:4"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Proverbs 31:4" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>