Proverbs 31
1 The words of king Lamuel. The vision by which his mother instructed him:
My words have been spoken by God—the oracular answer of a king, whom his mother instructed.
2 “What, O my beloved? What, O beloved of my womb? What, O beloved of my vows?
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 substance to women, or your riches to overthrow kings.
Give not thy wealth to women, nor thy mind and living to remorse. Do all things with counsel: drink wine with counsel.
4 Not to kings, O Lamuel, not to kings give wine. For there are no secrets where drunkenness reigns.
Princes are prone to anger: let them then not drink wine:
5 And perhaps they may drink and forget judgments, and alter the case of the sons of the poor.
lest they drink, and forget wisdom, and be not able to judge the poor rightly.
6 Give strong drink to the grieving, and wine to those who are bitter in soul.
Give strong drink to those that are in sorrow, and the wine to drink to those in pain:
7 Let them drink, and forget their needs, and remember their sorrow no more.
that they may forget their poverty, and may not remember their troubles any more.
8 Open your mouth for the mute and for all the cases of the sons who are passing through.
Open thy mouth with the word of God, and judge all fairly.
9 Open your mouth, declare what is just, and do justice to the indigent and the poor.
Open thy mouth and judge justly, and plead the cause of the poor and weak.
10 Who shall find a strong woman? Far away, and from the furthest parts, is her price.
Who shall find a virtuous woman? for such a one is more valuable than precious stones.
11 The heart of her husband confides in her, and he will not be deprived of spoils.
The heart of her husband trusts in her: such a one shall stand in no need of fine spoils.
12 She will repay him with good, and not evil, all the days of her life.
For she employs all her living for her husband's good.
13 She has sought wool and flax, and she has worked these by the counsel of her hands.
Gathering wool and flax, she makes it serviceable with her hands.
14 She has become like a merchant’s ship, bringing her bread from far away.
She is like a ship trading from a distance: so she procures her livelihood.
15 And she has risen in the night, and given a prey to her household, and provisions to her maids.
And she rises by night, and gives food to her household, and [appointed] tasks to her maidens.
16 She has considered a field and bought it. From the fruit of her own hands, she has planted a vineyard.
She views a farm, and buys it: and with the fruit of her hands she plants and a possession.
17 She has wrapped her waist with fortitude, and she has strengthened her arm.
She strongly girds her loins, and strengthens her arms for work.
18 She has tasted and seen that her tasks are good; her lamp shall not be extinguished at night.
And she finds by experience that working is good; and her candle goes not out all night.
19 She has put her hand to strong things, and her fingers have taken hold of the spindle.
She reaches forth her arms to needful [works], and applies her hands to the spindle.
20 She has opened her hand to the needy, and she has extended her hands to the poor.
And she opens her hands to the needy, and reaches out fruit to the poor.
21 She shall not fear, in the cold of snow, for her household. For all those of her household have been clothed two-fold.
Her husband is not anxious about those at home when he tarries anywhere abroad: for all her household are clothed.
22 She has made embroidered clothing for herself. Fine linen and purple is her garment.
She makes for her husband clothes of double texture, and garments for herself of fine linen and scarlet.
23 Her husband is noble at the gates, when he sits among the senators 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 has made finely woven cloth and sold it, and she has delivered a waistband to the Canaanite.
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 elegance are her clothing, and she will laugh in the final days.
She puts on strength and honour; and rejoices in the last days.
26 She has opened her mouth to wisdom, and the law of clemency is on her tongue.
But she opens her mouth wisely, and according to law.
27 She has considered the paths of her household, and she has not eaten her bread in idleness.
The ways of her household are careful, and she eats not the bread of idleness.
28 Her sons rose up and predicted great happiness; her husband rose up and praised her.
And [her] kindness to them sets up her children for them, and they grow rich, and her husband praises her.
29 Many daughters have gathered together riches; you have surpassed them all.
Many daughters have obtained wealth, many have wrought valiantly; but thou hast exceeded, thou hast surpassed all.
30 Charm is false, and beauty is vain. The woman who fears the Lord, the same shall 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 to her from the fruit of her own hands. And let her works praise her at the gates.
Give her of the fruit of her lips; and let her husband be praised in the gates.
