Proverbs 31
1 The words of Lemuel, king of Massa: the teaching which he had from his mother.
My words have been spoken by God—the oracular answer of a king, whom his mother instructed.
2 What am I to say to you, O Lemuel, my oldest son? and what, O son of my body? and what, O son of my oaths?
What wilt thou keep, my son, what? the words of God. My firstborn son, I speak to thee: what? son of my womb? what? son of my vows?
3 Do not give your strength to women, or your ways to that which is the destruction of kings.
Give not thy wealth to women, nor thy mind and living to remorse. Do all things with counsel: drink wine with counsel.
4 It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to take wine, or for rulers to say, Where is strong drink?
Princes are prone to anger: let them then not drink wine:
5 For fear that through drinking they may come to have no respect for the law, wrongly judging the cause of those who are in trouble.
lest they drink, and forget wisdom, and be not able to judge the poor rightly.
6 Give strong drink to him who is near to destruction, and wine to him whose soul is bitter:
Give strong drink to those that are in sorrow, and the wine to drink to those in pain:
7 Let him have drink, and his need will go from his mind, and the memory of his trouble will be gone.
that they may forget their poverty, and may not remember their troubles any more.
8 Let your mouth be open for those who have no voice, in the cause of those who are ready for death.
Open thy mouth with the word of God, and judge all fairly.
9 Let your mouth be open, judging rightly, and give right decisions in the cause of the poor and those in need.
Open thy mouth and judge justly, and plead the cause of the poor and weak.
10 Who may make discovery of a woman of virtue? For her price is much higher than jewels.
Who shall find a virtuous woman? for such a one is more valuable than precious stones.
11 The heart of her husband has faith in her, and he will have profit in full measure.
The heart of her husband trusts in her: such a one shall stand in no need of fine spoils.
12 She does him good and not evil all the days of her life.
For she employs all her living for her husband's good.
13 She gets wool and linen, working at the business of her hands.
Gathering wool and flax, she makes it serviceable with her hands.
14 She is like the trading-ships, getting food from far away.
She is like a ship trading from a distance: so she procures her livelihood.
15 She gets up while it is still night, and gives meat to her family, and their food to her servant-girls.
And she rises by night, and gives food to her household, and [appointed] tasks to her maidens.
16 After looking at a field with care, she gets it for a price, planting a vine-garden with the profit of her work.
She views a farm, and buys it: and with the fruit of her hands she plants and a possession.
17 She puts a band of strength round her, and makes her arms strong.
She strongly girds her loins, and strengthens her arms for work.
18 She sees that her marketing is of profit to her: her light does not go out by night.
And she finds by experience that working is good; and her candle goes not out all night.
19 She puts her hands to the cloth-working rod, and her fingers take the wheel.
She reaches forth her arms to needful [works], and applies her hands to the spindle.
20 Her hands are stretched out to the poor; yes, she is open-handed to those who are in need.
And she opens her hands to the needy, and reaches out fruit to the poor.
21 She has no fear of the snow for her family, for all those in her house are clothed in red.
Her husband is not anxious about those at home when he tarries anywhere abroad: for all her household are clothed.
22 She makes for herself cushions of needlework; her clothing is fair linen and purple.
She makes for her husband clothes of double texture, and garments for herself of fine linen and scarlet.
23 Her husband is a man of note in the public place, when he takes his seat among the responsible men of the land.
And her husband becomes a distinguished [person] in the gates, when he sits in council with the old inhabitants of the land.
24 She makes linen robes and gets a price for them, and traders take her cloth bands for a price.
She makes fine linens, and sells girdles to the Chananites: she opens her mouth heedfully and with propriety, and controls her tongue.
25 Strength and self-respect are her clothing; she is facing the future with a smile.
She puts on strength and honour; and rejoices in the last days.
26 Her mouth is open to give out wisdom, and the law of mercy is on her tongue.
But she opens her mouth wisely, and according to law.
27 She gives attention to the ways of her family, she does not take her food without working for it.
The ways of her household are careful, and she eats not the bread of idleness.
28 Her children get up and give her honour, and her husband gives her praise, saying,
And [her] kindness to them sets up her children for them, and they grow rich, and her husband praises her.
29 Unnumbered women have done well, but you are better than all of them.
Many daughters have obtained wealth, many have wrought valiantly; but thou hast exceeded, thou hast surpassed all.
30 Fair looks are a deceit, and a beautiful form is of no value; but a woman who has the fear of the Lord is to be praised.
Charms are false, and woman's beauty is vain: for it is a wise woman that is blessed, and let her praise the fear the Lord.
31 Give her credit for what her hands have made: let her be praised by her works in the public place.
Give her of the fruit of her lips; and let her husband be praised in the gates.
