箴言 31
1 利慕伊勒王的言語，是他母親教訓他的真言。
These are the words of King Lemuel, an oracle, taught to him by his mother.
2 我的兒啊，我腹中生的兒啊， 我許願得的兒啊！我當怎樣教訓你呢？
What shall I tell you, my son?—the son I gave birth to, the son given in response to my vows.
3 不要將你的精力給婦女； 也不要有敗壞君王的行為。
Don't waste your strength sleeping with women, those that bring down kings.
4 利慕伊勒啊，君王喝酒，君王喝酒不相宜； 王子說濃酒在那裏也不相宜；
Lemuel, kings shouldn't be drinking wine, rulers shouldn't be drinking alcohol.
5 恐怕喝了就忘記律例， 顛倒一切困苦人的是非。
For if they drink, they'll forget what the law says, and pervert the rights of those who are suffering.
6 可以把濃酒給將亡的人喝， 把清酒給苦心的人喝，
Give alcohol to those who are dying, and wine to those who are in terrible distress.
7 讓他喝了，就忘記他的貧窮， 不再記念他的苦楚。
Let them drink so they can forget their poverty, and not remember their troubles any longer.
8 你當為啞巴開口， 為一切孤獨的伸冤。
Speak up for those who have no voice, for the rights of those marginalized by society.
9 你當開口按公義判斷， 為困苦和窮乏的辨屈。
Speak up and judge fairly; defend the poor and destitute.
10 才德的婦人誰能得着呢？ 她的價值遠勝過珍珠。
Who can find a strong, capable wife? She's worth more than jewels!
11 她丈夫心裏倚靠她， 必不缺少利益；
Her husband has complete confidence in her, and with her he'll never be poor.
12 她一生使丈夫有益無損。
She brings him good, not evil, all her life.
13 她尋找羊羢和麻， 甘心用手做工。
She gets wool and flax, and with her eager hands turns them into clothes.
14 她好像商船從遠方運糧來，
Like a merchant's ship, she brings food from far away.
15 未到黎明她就起來， 把食物分給家中的人， 將當做的工分派婢女。
She gets up while it's still dark to make breakfast for her family, and to plan what her servant girls need to do.
16 她想得田地就買來； 用手所得之利栽種葡萄園。
She looks at a field, and decides to buy it; from the money she's earned she buys a vineyard.
17 她以能力束腰， 使膀臂有力。
She's keen to get ready, and works hard with her strong arms.
18 她覺得所經營的有利； 她的燈終夜不滅。
She knows that the things she makes are valuable. She keeps busy—her lamp burns late into the night.
19 她手拿撚線竿， 手把紡線車。
She spins the thread and weaves the cloth.
20 她張手賙濟困苦人， 伸手幫補窮乏人。
She's generous to the poor, and gives help to the needy.
21 她不因下雪為家裏的人擔心， 因為全家都穿着朱紅衣服。
She doesn't worry if it snows, because her whole family has warm clothing.
22 她為自己製作繡花毯子； 她的衣服是細麻和紫色布做的。
She makes herself bedspreads; she dresses in fine linen and purple clothes.
23 她丈夫在城門口與本地的長老同坐， 為眾人所認識。
Her husband is well-respected in the council at the town gates, where he sits with the town elders.
24 她做細麻布衣裳出賣， 又將腰帶賣與商家。
She makes linen clothes for sale, and supplies merchants with belts.
25 能力和威儀是她的衣服； 她想到日後的景況就喜笑。
She's clothed with strength and dignity, and she is happy about the future.
26 她開口就發智慧； 她舌上有仁慈的法則。
She speaks wise words, and she's kind when she gives instructions.
27 她觀察家務， 並不吃閒飯。
She looks after the needs of her whole household, and she's never idle.
28 她的兒女起來稱她有福； 她的丈夫也稱讚她，
Her children are quick to bless her. Her husband praises her too, saying,
29 說：才德的女子很多， 惟獨你超過一切。
“Many women do great things, but you are better than all of them!”
30 艷麗是虛假的，美容是虛浮的； 惟敬畏耶和華的婦女必得稱讚。
Charm can deceive, and beauty fades, but a woman who honors the Lord should be praised.
31 願她享受操作所得的； 願她的工作在城門口榮耀她。
Give her the recognition she deserves; praise her publicly for what she's done.
