Proverbs 31:9 kjva — Open thy mouth, judge righteously, and plead the cause of the poor and needy.

King James Version with Apocrypha

"Open thy mouth, judge righteously, and plead the cause of the poor and needy."

— Proverbs 31:9, King James Version with Apocrypha

Read in Another Translation

5 of 21 translations

Proverbs 31:9 in Other Translations

6 versions All translations

Proverbs 31 — Context

6

Give strong drink unto him that is ready to perish, and wine unto those that be of heavy hearts.

7

Let him drink, and forget his poverty, and remember his misery no more.

8

Open thy mouth for the dumb in the cause of all such as are appointed to destruction.

9

Open thy mouth, judge righteously, and plead the cause of the poor and needy.

10

Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.

11

The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil.

12

She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life.

Proverbs 31:9 — Frequently Asked Questions

7 questions
What does Proverbs 31:9 say?
Proverbs 31:9 in the King James Version with Apocrypha reads: “Open thy mouth, judge righteously, and plead the cause of the poor and needy.”
Where is Proverbs 31:9 in the Bible?
Proverbs 31:9 is found in the Old Testament, in the book of Proverbs, chapter 31, verse 9.
Who wrote Proverbs?
Proverbs is traditionally attributed to Solomon (primarily), with sections by Agur and Lemuel. It was written c. 970–700 BC.
What is the book of Proverbs about?
Proverbs is practical wisdom for everyday life — short, vivid sayings on speech, work, money, friendship, sex, parenting, and the fear of the LORD. It teaches that wisdom is not mere cleverness but a way of walking with God in a complicated world.
What are the major themes of Proverbs?
Proverbs explores themes including Wisdom, Folly, Fear of the LORD, Discipline, Speech, Diligence. These themes shape the meaning and context of Proverbs 31:9.
What translation should I read Proverbs 31:9 in?
Proverbs 31:9 is available on GodsGoodBook in the King James Version (KJV), American Standard Version (ASV), World English Bible (WEB), NET Bible, Young's Literal Translation, Darby Bible, Douay-Rheims Bible, and the Bible in Basic English. Each translation reflects different translation philosophies — use the translation picker on this page to compare them, or browse our full translations directory.
How can I memorize Proverbs 31:9?
Proverbs 31:9 reads (KJVA): “Open thy mouth, judge righteously, and plead the cause of the poor and needy.” Read it aloud, break it into short phrases, repeat each phrase three times before adding the next, then put the phrases together. Reading it in multiple translations (above) often helps the meaning settle.
GodsGoodBook logo

GodsGoodBook

Making God's Word accessible to everyone

Experience the Bible like never before with multiple translations, powerful search tools, and features to make God's Word personal to you. Completely free, forever.

Features

15+ Bible Translations
Powerful Search Tools
Highlight & Annotate
Share Verses
100% Free Forever
© 2025 GodsGoodBookVersion 1.8.2