Proverbs 31:9 nasb — Open your mouth, judge righteously, And defend the rights of the afflicted and needy.

NASB

"Open your mouth, judge righteously, And defend the rights of the afflicted and needy."

— Proverbs 31:9, NASB

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Proverbs 31:9 in Other Translations

4 versions All translations

Proverbs 31 — Context

6

Give strong drink to him who is perishing, And wine to him whose life is bitter.

7

Let him drink and forget his poverty And remember his trouble no more.

8

Open your mouth for the mute, For the rights of all the unfortunate.

9

Open your mouth, judge righteously, And defend the rights of the afflicted and needy.

10

An excellent wife, who can find? For her worth is far above jewels.

11

The heart of her husband trusts in her, And he will have no lack of gain.

12

She does 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 NASB reads: “Open your mouth, judge righteously, And defend the rights of the afflicted 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 (NASB): “Open your mouth, judge righteously, And defend the rights of the afflicted 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.
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