Proverbs Chapter 31 verse 18 Holy Bible
She perceiveth that her merchandise is profitable: Her lamp goeth not out by night.
read chapter 31 in ASV
She sees that her marketing is of profit to her: her light does not go out by night.
read chapter 31 in BBE
She perceiveth that her earning is good; her lamp goeth not out by night.
read chapter 31 in DARBY
She perceiveth that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out by night.
read chapter 31 in KJV
read chapter 31 in WBT
She perceives that her merchandise is profitable. Her lamp doesn't go out by night.
read chapter 31 in WEB
She hath perceived when her merchandise `is' good, Her lamp is not extinguished in the night.
read chapter 31 in YLT
Pulpit Commentary
Pulpit CommentaryVerse 18. - TETH. She perceiveth that her merchandise is good; Vulgate, Gustavit et vidit quia bona est negotiatio ejus, where the paraphrase, "she tastes and sees," expresses the meaning of the verb taam here used. Her prudence and economy leave her a large surplus profit, which she contemplates with satisfaction. There is no suspicion of arrogance or conceit, The pleasure that is derived from duty done and successfully conducted business is legitimate and healthy, a providential reward of good works. Septuagint, "She tastes that it is good to work." This comfort and success spur her on to further and more continued exertion. Her candle (lamp) goeth not out by night. She is not idle even when night falls, and outdoor occupations are cut short; she finds work for the hours of darkness, such as is mentioned in the next verse. One recalls Virgil's picture of the thrifty housewife ('AEneid,' 8:407) - "Inde ubi prima quies medio jam noctis abactaeCurriculo expulerat somnum, cum femina primum,Cui tolerare colo vitam tenuique Minerva Impositum, cinerem et sopitos suscitat ignis,Noctem addens operi, famulesque ad lumina longoExercet penso." Some take the lamp here in an allegorical sense, as signifying life, happiness, and prosperity, as Proverbs 13:9 and Proverbs 20:20; others, as denoting a bright example of diligence and piety (Matthew 5:16). But the simple meaning seems to be the one intended. Wordsworth notes that the passage in Revelation 18, which speaks of the "merchandise" of the false Church, also affirms that "the light of a candle" shall shine in her no more, the two metaphors in our passage applied to the true Church being there applied to Babylon.
