Proverbs 31
1 The words of king Lemuel, the oracle which his mother taught him.
Verba Lamuelis regis. Visio, qua erudivit eum mater sua.
2 What, my son? And what, O son of my womb? And what, O son of my vows?
Quid dilecte mi, quid dilecte uteri mei, quid dilecte votorum meorum?
3 Give not thy strength to women, nor thy ways to that which destroys kings.
Ne dederis mulieribus substantiam tuam, et divitias tuas ad delendos reges.
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?
Noli regibus, o Lamuel, noli regibus dare vinum: quia nullum secretum est ubi regnat ebrietas.
5 Lest they drink, and forget the law, and pervert the justice due to any who is afflicted.
Et ne forte bibant, et obliviscantur iudiciorum, et mutent causam filiorum pauperis.
6 Give strong drink to him who is ready to perish, and wine to the bitter in soul.
Date siceram mœrentibus, et vinum his, qui amaro sunt animo:
7 Let him drink, and forget his need, and remember his misery no more.
bibant, et obliviscantur egestatis suæ, et doloris sui non recordentur amplius.
8 Open thy mouth for the mute, in the cause of all such as are left desolate.
Aperi os tuum muto, et causis omnium filiorum qui pertranseunt:
9 Open thy mouth, judge righteously, and minister justice to the poor and needy.
aperi os tuum, decerne quod iustum est, et iudica inopem et pauperem.
10 A worthy woman who can find? For her price is far above rubies.
Mulierem fortem quis inveniet? procul, et de ultimis finibus pretium eius.
11 The heart of her husband trusts in her, and he shall have no lack of gain.
Confidit in ea cor viri sui, et spoliis non indigebit.
12 She does him good and not evil all the days of her life.
Reddet ei bonum, et non malum, omnibus diebus vitæ suæ.
13 She seeks wool and flax, and works willingly with her hands.
Quæsivit lanam et linum, et operata est consilia manuum suarum.
14 She is like the merchant ships: she brings her bread from afar.
Facta est quasi navis institoris, de longe portans panem suum.
15 She also rises while it is yet night, and gives food to her household, and their task to her maidens.
Et de nocte surrexit, deditque prædam domesticis suis, et cibaria ancillis suis.
16 She considers a field, and buys it. With the fruit of her hands she plants a vineyard.
Consideravit agrum, et emit eum: de fructu manuum suarum plantavit vineam.
17 She girds her loins with strength, and makes strong her arms.
Accinxit fortitudine lumbos suos, et roboravit brachium suum.
18 She perceives that her merchandise is profitable. Her lamp does not go out by night.
Gustavit, et vidit quia bona est negotiatio eius: non extinguetur in nocte lucerna eius.
19 She lays her hands to the distaff, and her hands hold the spindle.
Manum suam misit ad fortia, et digiti eius apprehenderunt fusum.
20 She stretches out her hand to the poor, yea, she reaches forth her hands to the needy.
Manum suam aperuit inopi, et palmas suas extendit ad pauperem.
21 She is not afraid of the snow for her household, for all her household are clothed with scarlet.
Non timebit domui suæ a frigoribus nivis: omnes enim domestici eius vestiti sunt duplicibus.
22 She makes for herself carpets of tapestry. Her clothing is fine linen and purple.
Stragulatam vestem fecit sibi: byssus, et purpura indumentum eius.
23 Her husband is known in the gates when he sits among the elders of the land.
Nobilis in portis vir eius, quando sederit cum senatoribus terræ.
24 She makes linen garments and sells them, and delivers girdles to the merchant.
Sindonem fecit, et vendidit, et cingulum tradidit Chananæo.
25 Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she laughs at the time to come.
Fortitudo et decor indumentum eius, et ridebit in die novissimo.
26 She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the law of kindness is on her tongue.
Os suum aperuit sapientiæ, et lex clementiæ in lingua eius.
27 She looks well to the ways of her household, and does not eat the bread of idleness.
Consideravit semitas domus suæ, et panem otiosa non comedit.
28 Her sons rise up, and call her blessed. Her husband also, and he praises her.
Surrexerunt filii eius, et beatissimam prædicaverunt: vir eius, et laudavit eam.
29 Many daughters have done worthily, but thou excel them all.
Multæ filiæ congregaverunt divitias: tu supergressa es universas.
30 Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears Jehovah, she shall be praised.
Fallax gratia, et vana est pulchritudo: mulier timens Dominum ipsa laudabitur.
31 Give her of the fruit of her hands, and let her works praise her in the gates.
Date ei de fructu manuum suarum: et laudent eam in portis opera eius.
