"Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing, and obtaineth favour of the LORD" (Proverbs 18:22). "A prudent wife is from the LORD" (Proverbs 19:14), and "A virtuous woman is a crown to her husband" (Proverbs 12:4). Of the virtuous wife Scripture says "her price is far above rubies" (Proverbs 31:10), and "her husband also, and he praiseth her" (Proverbs 31:28).
These twelve King James passages describe the gift, strength, and honor of a godly wife: verses husbands can pray over their wives and wives can lean on for encouragement in their calling. This is a role-and-encouragement page; for marriage as a covenant see love and marriage, for ceremony readings see wedding, and for verses for every woman see women.
A good gift from the LORD
1. Proverbs 18:22
"Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing, and obtaineth favour of the LORD."
Finding a wife is called a good thing and a sign of the LORD's favor. A wife is a gift to receive with gratitude, not a prize to possess.
2. Proverbs 19:14
"House and riches are the inheritance of fathers: and a prudent wife is from the LORD."
A house and wealth can be inherited from parents, but a prudent, wise wife comes from the LORD Himself.
3. Proverbs 12:4
"A virtuous woman is a crown to her husband: but she that maketh ashamed is as rottenness in his bones."
A virtuous (strong, worthy) wife is a crown to her husband: her character brings honor to the whole home.
4. Proverbs 31:10-12
"Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies. The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil. She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life."
The famous "virtuous woman" poem opens by valuing her above rubies. Her husband trusts her completely, and she does him good all the days of her life.
Her strength and character
5. Proverbs 31:20
"She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy."
The godly wife's strength turns outward: she opens her hands to the poor and needy. Her home becomes a place of generosity.
6. Proverbs 31:25-26
"Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come. She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness."
Strength and honor are her clothing, and she can face the future with joy (KJV "rejoice in time to come"). Her words carry wisdom and kindness.
7. Proverbs 31:27
"She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness."
She watches over her household with diligence. Scripture honors the often unseen work of caring for a home.
8. Proverbs 31:30
"Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised."
Charm and beauty fade, but a woman who fears the LORD will be praised. Her faith is her lasting beauty.
Honored and loved
9. Proverbs 31:28-29
"Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her. Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all."
Her children call her blessed and her husband praises her out loud. Husbands: say it, and say it often.
10. Song of Solomon 4:7
"Thou art all fair, my love; there is no spot in thee."
In the Song of Solomon the husband delights in his bride: "Thou art all fair, my love." Scripture celebrates a husband cherishing his wife.
11. Ruth 3:11
"And now, my daughter, fear not; I will do to thee all that thou requirest: for all the city of my people doth know that thou art a virtuous woman."
Before she married Boaz, the whole town knew Ruth as "a virtuous woman," the same phrase used in Proverbs 31. Godly character is visible.
12. Ephesians 5:21-22
"Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God. Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord."
Paul's word to wives sits under verse 21: "Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God." A wife's respect is offered "as unto the Lord," alongside a husband's Christlike, self-giving love (Ephesians 5:25). It never means tolerating abuse.
A short prayer
Lord, thank You for the gift of a godly wife. Clothe her with strength and honor, fill her words with wisdom and kindness, and let her find her worth in fearing You. Help her husband to see her, praise her, and love her as Christ loves the church. Bless the work of her hands and the home she helps build. In Jesus' name, amen.
Go deeper: a SOAP study prompt
Pick one verse above and write: - Scripture: copy the verse by hand. - Observation: what does it say? Who is speaking, to whom? - Application: what does it mean for you today? - Prayer: turn it into a two-line prayer.
New to this method? See our Bible study guide or pick a Bible reading plan.
Download our free SOAP study page · Get the SOAP Bible Study Journal
Frequently asked questions
What does the Bible say about a good wife?
A good wife is called a gift and a sign of God's favor (Proverbs 18:22; 19:14), a crown to her husband (Proverbs 12:4), and worth far more than rubies (Proverbs 31:10). Her lasting beauty is that she fears the Lord (Proverbs 31:30).
Who is the Proverbs 31 wife?
Proverbs 31:10-31 is a poem about "a virtuous woman," a wise, strong, generous, hardworking wife. It is a portrait to honor, not a checklist to meet all at once.
What does the Bible say about a wife's submission?
Ephesians 5:22 is set inside mutual submission (Ephesians 5:21) and paired with a husband's sacrificial love (Ephesians 5:25). It describes willing respect within a Christ-centered marriage, not inferiority, and never a duty to endure abuse.
What is a good Bible verse to write to my wife?
Proverbs 31:29, "Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all," and Song of Solomon 4:7 are favorites for anniversary and Mother's Day cards.
Sources: All Scripture quotations are from the King James Version (KJV), public domain in the United States. References were checked against the KJV text from bible-api.com.
Related: Bible verses about husbands · Bible verses about love and marriage · Bible verses about women · Bible verses for a wedding · Bible verses about mothers · Bible verses about family
Explore more: All Bible verses by topic · KJV Bible verses · Verse of the day · Prayers · Bible study · Bible reading plans
