Proverbs 31
1 The words of king Lemuel, the oracle which his mother taught him.
The words of king Lemuel, the prophecy that his mother taught him:
2 What, my son? And what, O son of my womb? And what, O son of my vows?
What, my son? and what, O son of my womb? and what, O son of my vows?
3 Give not thy strength to women, nor thy ways to that which destroys kings.
Give not thy strength unto women, nor thy ways to them that destroy kings.
4 It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine, nor for rulers to say, Where is strong drink?
It is not for kings, Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine, nor for rulers [to say], Where is the strong drink?
5 Lest they drink, and forget the law, and pervert the justice due to any who is afflicted.
— lest they drink and forget the law, and pervert the judgment of any of the children of affliction.
6 Give strong drink to him who is ready to perish, and wine to the bitter in soul.
Give strong drink unto him that is ready to perish, and wine unto the bitter of soul:
7 Let him drink, and forget his need, and remember his misery no more.
let him drink, and forget his poverty, and remember his misery no more.
8 Open thy mouth for the mute, in the cause of all such as are left desolate.
Open thy mouth for the dumb, for the cause of all those that are left desolate.
9 Open thy mouth, judge righteously, and minister justice to the poor and needy.
Open thy mouth, judge righteously, and minister justice to the afflicted and needy.
10 A worthy woman who can find? For her price is far above rubies.
Who can find a woman of worth? for her price is far above rubies.
11 The heart of her husband trusts in her, and he shall have no lack of gain.
The heart of her husband confideth in her, and he shall have no lack of spoil.
12 She does him good and not evil all the days of her life.
She doeth him good, and not evil, all the days of her life.
13 She seeks wool and flax, and works willingly with her hands.
She seeketh wool and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands.
14 She is like the merchant ships: she brings her bread from afar.
She is like the merchants' ships: she bringeth her food from afar;
15 She also rises while it is yet night, and gives food to her household, and their task to her maidens.
And she riseth while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and the day's work to her maidens.
16 She considers a field, and buys it. With the fruit of her hands she plants a vineyard.
She considereth a field, and acquireth it; of the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard.
17 She girds her loins with strength, and makes strong her arms.
She girdeth her loins with strength, and maketh strong her arms.
18 She perceives that her merchandise is profitable. Her lamp does not go out by night.
She perceiveth that her earning is good; her lamp goeth not out by night.
19 She lays her hands to the distaff, and her hands hold the spindle.
She putteth her hands to the distaff, and her hands hold the spindle.
20 She stretches out her hand to the poor, yea, she reaches forth her hands to the needy.
She stretcheth out her hand to the afflicted, and she reacheth forth her hands to the needy.
21 She is not afraid of the snow for her household, for all her household are clothed with scarlet.
She is not afraid of the snow for her household; for all her household are clothed with scarlet.
22 She makes for herself carpets of tapestry. Her clothing is fine linen and purple.
She maketh herself coverlets; her clothing is byssus and purple.
23 Her husband is known in the gates when he sits among the elders of the land.
Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land.
24 She makes linen garments and sells them, and delivers girdles to the merchant.
She maketh body linen and selleth it, and delivereth girdles unto the merchant.
25 Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she laughs at the time to come.
Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she laugheth [at] the coming day.
26 She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the law of kindness is on her tongue.
She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and upon her tongue is the law of kindness.
27 She looks well to the ways of her household, and does not eat the bread of idleness.
She surveyeth the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness.
28 Her sons rise up, and call her blessed. Her husband also, and he praises her.
Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband [also], and he praiseth her:
29 Many daughters have done worthily, but thou excel them all.
Many daughters have done worthily, but thou excellest them all.
30 Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears Jehovah, she shall be praised.
Gracefulness is deceitful and beauty is vain; a woman [that] feareth Jehovah, she shall be praised.
31 Give her of the fruit of her hands, and let her works praise her in the gates.
Give her of the fruit of her hands, and let her own works praise her in the gates.
