Proverbs 31
1 The words of Lemuel, king of Massa: the teaching which he had from his mother.
Words of Lemuel, a king, a declaration that his mother taught him:
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, my son? And what, son of my womb? And what, son of my vows?
3 Do not give your strength to women, or your ways to that which is the destruction of kings.
Do not give your strength to women, And your ways to wiping away of kings.
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?
[It is] not for kings, O Lemuel, Not for kings, to drink wine, And for princes—a desire of strong drink.
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 he drink, and forget the decree, And change the judgment of any of the sons of affliction.
6 Give strong drink to him who is near to destruction, and wine to him whose soul is bitter:
Give strong drink to the perishing, And wine to the bitter in soul,
7 Let him have drink, and his need will go from his mind, and the memory of his trouble will be gone.
He drinks, and forgets his poverty, And he does not remember his misery again.
8 Let your mouth be open for those who have no voice, in the cause of those who are ready for death.
Open your mouth for the mute, For the right of all sons of change.
9 Let your mouth be open, judging rightly, and give right decisions in the cause of the poor and those in need.
Open your mouth, judge righteously, Both the cause of the poor and needy!”
10 Who may make discovery of a woman of virtue? For her price is much higher than jewels.
[ALEPH-BET] A woman of worth who finds? Indeed, her price [is] far above rubies.
11 The heart of her husband has faith in her, and he will have profit in full measure.
The heart of her husband has trusted in her, And he does not lack spoil.
12 She does him good and not evil all the days of her life.
She has done him good, and not evil, All [the] days of her life.
13 She gets wool and linen, working at the business of her hands.
She has sought wool and flax, And with delight she works [with] her hands.
14 She is like the trading-ships, getting food from far away.
She has been as ships of the merchant, She brings in her bread from afar.
15 She gets up while it is still night, and gives meat to her family, and their food to her servant-girls.
Indeed, she rises while yet night, And gives food to her household, And a portion to her girls.
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 has considered a field, and takes it, She has planted a vineyard from the fruit of her hands.
17 She puts a band of strength round her, and makes her arms strong.
She has girded her loins with might, And strengthens her arms.
18 She sees that her marketing is of profit to her: her light does not go out by night.
She has perceived when her merchandise [is] good, Her lamp is not extinguished in the night.
19 She puts her hands to the cloth-working rod, and her fingers take the wheel.
She has sent forth her hands on a spindle, And her hands have held a distaff.
20 Her hands are stretched out to the poor; yes, she is open-handed to those who are in need.
She has spread forth her hand to the poor, Indeed, she sent forth her hands to the needy.
21 She has no fear of the snow for her family, for all those in her house are clothed in red.
She is not afraid of her household from snow, For all her household are clothed [with] scarlet.
22 She makes for herself cushions of needlework; her clothing is fair linen and purple.
She has made ornamental coverings for herself, Silk and purple [are] her clothing.
23 Her husband is a man of note in the public place, when he takes his seat among the responsible men of the land.
Her husband is known in the gates, In his sitting with [the] elderly of [the] land.
24 She makes linen robes and gets a price for them, and traders take her cloth bands for a price.
She has made linen garments, and sells, And she has given a girdle to the merchant.
25 Strength and self-respect are her clothing; she is facing the future with a smile.
Strength and honor [are] her clothing, And she rejoices at a latter day.
26 Her mouth is open to give out wisdom, and the law of mercy is on her tongue.
She has opened her mouth in wisdom, And the law of kindness [is] on her tongue.
27 She gives attention to the ways of her family, she does not take her food without working for it.
She [is] watching the ways of her household, And she does not eat bread of sloth.
28 Her children get up and give her honour, and her husband gives her praise, saying,
Her sons have risen up, and pronounce her blessed, Her husband, and he praises her,
29 Unnumbered women have done well, but you are better than all of them.
“The daughters who have done worthily [are] many, You have gone up above them 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.
Favor [is] deceitful, and beauty [is] vain, A woman fearing YHWH, she may boast herself.
31 Give her credit for what her hands have made: let her be praised by her works in the public place.
Give to her of the fruit of her hands, And her works praise her in the gates!
