Proverbs 31
1 These are the words of King Lemuel—the burden that his mother taught him:
The words of king Lemuel, the prophecy that his mother taught him.
2 What shall I say, O my son? What, O son of my womb? What, O son of my vows?
What, my son? and what, the son of my womb? and what, the son of my vows?
3 Do not spend your strength on women or your vigor on those who ruin kings.
Give not your strength to women, nor your ways to that which destroys kings.
4 It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine, or for rulers to crave strong drink,
It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine; nor for princes strong drink:
5 lest they drink and forget what is decreed, depriving all the oppressed of justice.
Lest they drink, and forget the law, and pervert the judgment of any of the afflicted.
6 Give strong drink to one who is perishing, and wine to the bitter in soul.
Give strong drink to him that is ready to perish, and wine to those that be of heavy hearts.
7 Let him drink and forget his poverty, and remember his misery no more.
Let him drink, and forget his poverty, and remember his misery no more.
8 Open your mouth for those with no voice, for the cause of all the dispossessed.
Open your mouth for the dumb in the cause of all such as are appointed to destruction.
9 Open your mouth, judge righteously, and defend the cause of the poor and needy.
Open your mouth, judge righteously, and plead the cause of the poor and needy.
10 A wife of noble character, who can find? She is far more precious than rubies.
Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.
11 The heart of her husband trusts in her, and he lacks nothing of value.
The heart of her husband does safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil.
12 She brings him good and not harm all the days of her life.
She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life.
13 She selects wool and flax and works with eager hands.
She seeks wool, and flax, and works willingly with her hands.
14 She is like the merchant ships, bringing her food from afar.
She is like the merchants’ ships; she brings her food from afar.
15 She rises while it is still night to provide food for her household and portions for her maidservants.
She rises also while it is yet night, and gives meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens.
16 She appraises a field and buys it; from her earnings she plants a vineyard.
She considers a field, and buys it: with the fruit of her hands she plants a vineyard.
17 She girds herself with strength and shows that her arms are strong.
She girds her loins with strength, and strengthens her arms.
18 She sees that her gain is good, and her lamp is not extinguished at night.
She perceives that her merchandise is good: her candle goes not out by night.
19 She stretches out her hands to the distaff and grasps the spindle with her fingers.
She lays her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff.
20 She opens her arms to the poor and reaches out her hands to the needy.
She stretches out her hand to the poor; yes, she reaches forth her hands to the needy.
21 When it snows, she has no fear for her household, for they are all clothed in scarlet.
She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household are clothed with scarlet.
22 She makes coverings for her bed; her clothing is fine linen and purple.
She makes herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple.
23 Her husband is known at the city gate, where he sits among the elders of the land.
Her husband is known in the gates, when he sits among the elders of the land.
24 She makes linen garments and sells them; she delivers sashes to the merchants.
She makes fine linen, and sells it; and delivers girdles to the merchant.
25 Strength and honor are her clothing, and she can laugh at the days to come.
Strength and honor are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come.
26 She opens her mouth with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue.
She opens her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness.
27 She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness.
She looks well to the ways of her household, and eats not the bread of idleness.
28 Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband praises her as well:
Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her.
29 “Many daughters have done noble things, but you surpass them all!”
Many daughters have done virtuously, but you excel them all.
30 Charm is deceptive and beauty is fleeting, but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.
Favor is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that fears the LORD, she shall be praised.
31 Give her the fruit of her hands, and let her works praise her at the gates.
Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates.
