Proverbs 31
1 These are the words of King Lemuel—the burden that his mother taught him:
The words of king Lemuel; the oracle which 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, O son of my womb, and what, O son of my vows?
3 Do not spend your strength on women or your vigor on those who ruin kings.
Give not thy strength unto women, nor thy ways to that which destroyeth 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 [to say], Where is 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 that is afflicted.
6 Give strong drink to one who is perishing, and wine to the bitter in soul.
Give strong drink unto him that is ready to perish, and wine unto the bitter in soul:
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 thy mouth for the dumb, in the cause of all such as are left desolate.
9 Open your mouth, judge righteously, and defend the cause of the poor and needy.
Open thy mouth, judge righteously, and minister judgment to the poor and needy.
10 A wife of noble character, who can find? She is far more precious than rubies.
A virtuous woman who can find? 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 trusteth in her, and he shall have no lack of gain.
12 She brings him good and not harm all the days of her life.
She doeth him good and not evil all the days of her life.
13 She selects wool and flax and works with eager hands.
She seeketh wool and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands.
14 She is like the merchant ships, bringing her food from afar.
She is like the merchant-ships; she bringeth her food from afar.
15 She rises while it is still night to provide food for her household and portions for her maidservants.
She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and their task to her maidens.
16 She appraises a field and buys it; from her earnings she plants a vineyard.
She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard.
17 She girds herself with strength and shows that her arms are strong.
She girdeth her loins with strength, and maketh strong her arms.
18 She sees that her gain is good, and her lamp is not extinguished at night.
She perceiveth that her merchandise is profitable: her lamp goeth not out by night.
19 She stretches out her hands to the distaff and grasps the spindle with her fingers.
She layeth her hands to the distaff, and her hands hold the spindle.
20 She opens her arms to the poor and reaches out her hands to the needy.
She spreadeth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth 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 maketh for herself carpets of tapestry; her clothing is fine linen 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 sitteth among the elders of the land.
24 She makes linen garments and sells them; she delivers sashes to the merchants.
She maketh linen garments and selleth them; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant.
25 Strength and honor are her clothing, and she can laugh at the days to come.
Strength and dignity are her clothing; and she laugheth at the time to come.
26 She opens her mouth with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue.
She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and the law of kindness is on her tongue.
27 She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness.
She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness.
28 Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband praises her as well:
Her children rise up, and call her blessed; her husband [also], and he praiseth her, [saying]:
29 “Many daughters have done noble things, but you surpass them all!”
Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all.
30 Charm is deceptive and beauty is fleeting, but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.
Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: [but] a woman that feareth 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 works praise her in the gates.
