A practical guide
Reflect on Proverbs 31 through your friendships
Start here
Read the poem in its marriage and household setting, then consider one theme that can inform a friendship without copying every detail.
Keep the original setting visible
The woman’s husband and children appear in Proverbs 31. Wisdom, generosity, and trust also appear throughout the portrait. Recognize the setting before asking how one of these themes might matter in a friendship.
Sources: Proverbs 31, World English Bible
Choose a real commitment
Think of a promise you made to a friend. Is there a message to answer, a time to confirm, or a misunderstanding to address? Write the next honest action rather than making a general promise to become a better friend.
Write a prayer for care
An original starting point is: “God, help me be clear about what I can offer and attentive to what my friend needs.” You do not need to promise more time or help than you can realistically give.
Common questions
Does the poem originally describe friendship?
Its central portrait describes a wife and her household. This exercise applies a theme to another relationship rather than changing that setting.
Can I use this if I am single?
Yes. The reflection concerns a present friendship and does not require a particular relationship status.