Proverbs 31
1 These are the words of King Lemuel—the burden that his mother taught him:
These are the words of King Lemuel, an oracle, taught to him by his mother.
2 What shall I say, O my son? What, O son of my womb? What, O son of my vows?
What shall I tell you, my son?—the son I gave birth to, the son given in response to my vows.
3 Do not spend your strength on women or your vigor on those who ruin kings.
Don't waste your strength sleeping with women, those that bring down kings.
4 It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine, or for rulers to crave strong drink,
Lemuel, kings shouldn't be drinking wine, rulers shouldn't be drinking alcohol.
5 lest they drink and forget what is decreed, depriving all the oppressed of justice.
For if they drink, they'll forget what the law says, and pervert the rights of those who are suffering.
6 Give strong drink to one who is perishing, and wine to the bitter in soul.
Give alcohol to those who are dying, and wine to those who are in terrible distress.
7 Let him drink and forget his poverty, and remember his misery no more.
Let them drink so they can forget their poverty, and not remember their troubles any longer.
8 Open your mouth for those with no voice, for the cause of all the dispossessed.
Speak up for those who have no voice, for the rights of those marginalized by society.
9 Open your mouth, judge righteously, and defend the cause of the poor and needy.
Speak up and judge fairly; defend the poor and destitute.
10 A wife of noble character, who can find? She is far more precious than rubies.
Who can find a strong, capable wife? She's worth more than jewels!
11 The heart of her husband trusts in her, and he lacks nothing of value.
Her husband has complete confidence in her, and with her he'll never be poor.
12 She brings him good and not harm all the days of her life.
She brings him good, not evil, all her life.
13 She selects wool and flax and works with eager hands.
She gets wool and flax, and with her eager hands turns them into clothes.
14 She is like the merchant ships, bringing her food from afar.
Like a merchant's ship, she brings food from far away.
15 She rises while it is still night to provide food for her household and portions for her maidservants.
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 She appraises a field and buys it; from her earnings she plants a vineyard.
She looks at a field, and decides to buy it; from the money she's earned she buys a vineyard.
17 She girds herself with strength and shows that her arms are strong.
She's keen to get ready, and works hard with her strong arms.
18 She sees that her gain is good, and her lamp is not extinguished at night.
She knows that the things she makes are valuable. She keeps busy—her lamp burns late into the night.
19 She stretches out her hands to the distaff and grasps the spindle with her fingers.
She spins the thread and weaves the cloth.
20 She opens her arms to the poor and reaches out her hands to the needy.
She's generous to the poor, and gives help to the needy.
21 When it snows, she has no fear for her household, for they are all clothed in scarlet.
She doesn't worry if it snows, because her whole family has warm clothing.
22 She makes coverings for her bed; her clothing is fine linen and purple.
She makes herself bedspreads; she dresses in fine linen and purple clothes.
23 Her husband is known at the city gate, where he sits among the elders of the land.
Her husband is well-respected in the council at the town gates, where he sits with the town elders.
24 She makes linen garments and sells them; she delivers sashes to the merchants.
She makes linen clothes for sale, and supplies merchants with belts.
25 Strength and honor are her clothing, and she can laugh at the days to come.
She's clothed with strength and dignity, and she is happy about the future.
26 She opens her mouth with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue.
She speaks wise words, and she's kind when she gives instructions.
27 She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness.
She looks after the needs of her whole household, and she's never idle.
28 Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband praises her as well:
Her children are quick to bless her. Her husband praises her too, saying,
29 “Many daughters have done noble things, but you surpass them all!”
“Many women do great things, but you are better than all of them!”
30 Charm is deceptive and beauty is fleeting, but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.
Charm can deceive, and beauty fades, but a woman who honors the Lord should be praised.
31 Give her the fruit of her hands, and let her works praise her at the gates.
Give her the recognition she deserves; praise her publicly for what she's done.
