Proverbs 12:4

Modern

A wife of noble character is her husband’s crown, but she who causes shame is like decay in his bones.

Traditional

A virtuous woman is a crown to her husband: but she that maketh ashamed is as rottenness in his bones.

Literal

A woman of virtue is a crown to her husband, and the one causing shame is like rottenness in his bones.

Latin

Mulier diligens corona est viro suo; et putredo in ossibus ejus, quæ confusione res dignas gerit.

Hebrew

English

A wife of noble character is her husband’s crown, but she who causes shame is like decay in his bones.

In other parts of Proverbs, a crown represents:
- Wealth (Proverbs 14:24)
- Long life (Proverbs 16:31)
- Grandchildren (17:6)
decay (literally rot): A disgraceful wife is a serious and life-threatening issue.

Proverbs 31:10–25
A wife of noble character, who can find? She is far more precious than rubies.
Proverbs 14:30
A tranquil heart is life to the body, but envy rots the bones.
Proverbs 14:1
Every wise woman builds her house, but a foolish one tears it down with her own hands.
Proverbs 19:13–14
A foolish son is his father’s ruin, and a quarrelsome wife is like a constant dripping.
Proverbs 21:9
Better to live on a corner of the roof than to share a house with a quarrelsome wife.
Proverbs 21:19
Better to live in the desert than with a contentious and ill-tempered wife.
1 Corinthians 11:11
In the Lord, however, woman is not independent of man, nor is man independent of woman.
Proverbs 27:15–16
A constant dripping on a rainy day and a contentious woman are alike—
1 Corinthians 11:7
A man ought not to cover his head, since he is the image and glory of God; but the woman is the glory of man.
Habakkuk 3:16
I heard and trembled within; my lips quivered at the sound. Decay entered my bones; I trembled where I stood. Yet I must wait patiently for the day of distress to come upon the people who invade us.