The exact words
“Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her.”Proverbs 31:28, King James Version (1611)
✓ VerifiedFound in a primary source: the original book, speech transcript, letter or recording.
What people get wrong
Common reading
A description of a quiet, stay-at-home ideal.
A description of a quiet, stay-at-home ideal.
Closer to the original
The woman in Proverbs 31 buys land, runs a business, trades, manages a household and gives to the poor. She is praised for strength and wisdom as much as tenderness.
The woman in Proverbs 31 buys land, runs a business, trades, manages a household and gives to the poor. She is praised for strength and wisdom as much as tenderness.
Timeline
- Ancient IsraelProverbs 31 is presented as the teaching of King Lemuel's mother. It ends with a 22-line poem, each line starting with the next letter of the Hebrew alphabet, praising a woman of strength.
- 1611The King James Version gives English the wording read today.
- TodayVerses from the poem are among the most common readings on Mother's Day and at women's funerals.
Use it in a speech
Proverbs says, her children arise up, and call her blessed. So consider this card us arising, Mom. You are blessed, and so are we.
~8 secondsto say aloud
Pausenone needed in a card
Best spotthe main line of the card
Proverbs 31 says of a good woman, her children arise up, and call her blessed. Today, all of us who were her children, and her grandchildren, stand up to do exactly that.
~10 secondsto say aloud
Pauseafter “call her blessed”
Best spotthe closing words
Questions people ask
Where is “her children arise up and call her blessed” in the Bible?
Proverbs 31:28.
Who is the woman in Proverbs 31?
She is an ideal figure, often called the “virtuous woman” or “woman of valor,” described in a poem that closes the Book of Proverbs.
Cite this quote
These cite the original source directly, so you can use them in an essay or paper. Always check your teacher's required style.
MLAThe Bible. Authorized King James Version, 1611. Project Gutenberg, www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/10.
APAThe Holy Bible, King James Version. (1611/2026). Project Gutenberg. https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/10
IN TEXT (APA)(The Bible, Proverbs 31:28, King James Version)