Proverbs 31:30

Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised.

Cross-reference

Proverbs 1:7 defines the fear of the Lord as the beginning of knowledge—foundational reason why the woman who fears the Lord is praised.

Proverbs 8:13 ties the fear of the Lord to hatred of evil—showing that fear leads to moral character, amplifying the praise of the woman.

In Proverbs 11:22, a beautiful woman without discretion is like a gold ring in a pig's snout—reinforcing that beauty without godly character is worthless.

In Proverbs 11:16, a gracious woman gains honor, echoing the praise of the woman who fears the Lord in Proverbs 31:30.

Psalm 147:11 says the Lord delights in those who fear Him—directly supporting why the woman who fears the Lord is praised.

Ecclesiastes 12:13 sums up duty as fearing God and keeping His commandments, directly echoing the central theme.

In Ezekiel 16:15, Israel trusted in her beauty and fell into unfaithfulness—directly echoing the vanity and deceitfulness of charm and beauty.

Romans 2:29 Parallel

Romans 2:29 stresses inward reality and praise from God rather than man, matching the contrast of external charm vs. divine praise.

In 1 Peter 1:24, all human glory withers like grass—a direct quote from Isaiah that echoes the vanity of beauty in Proverbs 31:30.

1 Peter 3:4 Parallel

1 Peter 3:4 similarly contrasts imperishable inner beauty with external adornment, valuing a gentle spirit as precious to God.

1 Samuel 16:7 explicitly states God looks on the heart, not outward appearance, a direct parallel to valuing fear of the Lord over beauty.

In 2 Samuel 11:2, Bathsheba's beauty ensnares David, illustrating the vanity of beauty warned against in Proverbs 31:30.

In Exodus 1:17-21, the midwives feared God and were blessed—an example of why fearing the Lord is praiseworthy, as in Proverbs 31:30.

James 1:11 Parallel

In James 1:11, the rich man's wealth withers like grass—parallel to beauty's fleeting nature, reinforcing the vanity of external things.

In 2 Samuel 14:25, Absalom is praised for his perfect appearance, yet his beauty led to pride and downfall—illustrating the fleeting nature of beauty.