Proverbs 31
1 These are the words of King Lemuel—the burden that his mother taught him:
Verba Lamuelis regis. Visio, qua erudivit eum mater sua.
2 What shall I say, O my son? What, O son of my womb? What, O son of my vows?
Quid dilecte mi, quid dilecte uteri mei, quid dilecte votorum meorum?
3 Do not spend your strength on women or your vigor on those who ruin 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, or for rulers to crave strong drink,
Noli regibus, o Lamuel, noli regibus dare vinum: quia nullum secretum est ubi regnat ebrietas.
5 lest they drink and forget what is decreed, depriving all the oppressed of justice.
Et ne forte bibant, et obliviscantur iudiciorum, et mutent causam filiorum pauperis.
6 Give strong drink to one who is perishing, and wine to the bitter in soul.
Date siceram mœrentibus, et vinum his, qui amaro sunt animo:
7 Let him drink and forget his poverty, and remember his misery no more.
bibant, et obliviscantur egestatis suæ, et doloris sui non recordentur amplius.
8 Open your mouth for those with no voice, for the cause of all the dispossessed.
Aperi os tuum muto, et causis omnium filiorum qui pertranseunt:
9 Open your mouth, judge righteously, and defend the cause of the poor and needy.
aperi os tuum, decerne quod iustum est, et iudica inopem et pauperem.
10 A wife of noble character, who can find? She is far more precious than rubies.
Mulierem fortem quis inveniet? procul, et de ultimis finibus pretium eius.
11 The heart of her husband trusts in her, and he lacks nothing of value.
Confidit in ea cor viri sui, et spoliis non indigebit.
12 She brings him good and not harm all the days of her life.
Reddet ei bonum, et non malum, omnibus diebus vitæ suæ.
13 She selects wool and flax and works with eager hands.
Quæsivit lanam et linum, et operata est consilia manuum suarum.
14 She is like the merchant ships, bringing her food from afar.
Facta est quasi navis institoris, de longe portans panem suum.
15 She rises while it is still night to provide food for her household and portions for her maidservants.
Et de nocte surrexit, deditque prædam domesticis suis, et cibaria ancillis suis.
16 She appraises a field and buys it; from her earnings she plants a vineyard.
Consideravit agrum, et emit eum: de fructu manuum suarum plantavit vineam.
17 She girds herself with strength and shows that her arms are strong.
Accinxit fortitudine lumbos suos, et roboravit brachium suum.
18 She sees that her gain is good, and her lamp is not extinguished at night.
Gustavit, et vidit quia bona est negotiatio eius: non extinguetur in nocte lucerna eius.
19 She stretches out her hands to the distaff and grasps the spindle with her fingers.
Manum suam misit ad fortia, et digiti eius apprehenderunt fusum.
20 She opens her arms to the poor and reaches out her hands to the needy.
Manum suam aperuit inopi, et palmas suas extendit ad pauperem.
21 When it snows, she has no fear for her household, for they are all clothed in scarlet.
Non timebit domui suæ a frigoribus nivis: omnes enim domestici eius vestiti sunt duplicibus.
22 She makes coverings for her bed; her clothing is fine linen and purple.
Stragulatam vestem fecit sibi: byssus, et purpura indumentum eius.
23 Her husband is known at the city gate, where 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; she delivers sashes to the merchants.
Sindonem fecit, et vendidit, et cingulum tradidit Chananæo.
25 Strength and honor are her clothing, and she can laugh at the days to come.
Fortitudo et decor indumentum eius, et ridebit in die novissimo.
26 She opens her mouth with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue.
Os suum aperuit sapientiæ, et lex clementiæ in lingua eius.
27 She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness.
Consideravit semitas domus suæ, et panem otiosa non comedit.
28 Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband praises her as well:
Surrexerunt filii eius, et beatissimam prædicaverunt: vir eius, et laudavit eam.
29 “Many daughters have done noble things, but you surpass them all!”
Multæ filiæ congregaverunt divitias: tu supergressa es universas.
30 Charm is deceptive and beauty is fleeting, but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.
Fallax gratia, et vana est pulchritudo: mulier timens Dominum ipsa laudabitur.
31 Give her the fruit of her hands, and let her works praise her at the gates.
Date ei de fructu manuum suarum: et laudent eam in portis opera eius.
