Proverbs 31
1 The words of king Lemuel, the prophecy that his mother taught him:
My words have been spoken by God—the oracular answer of a king, whom his mother instructed.
2 What, my son? and what, O son of my womb? and what, O son of my vows?
What will you keep, my son, what? the words of God. My firstborn son, I speak to you: what? son of my womb? what? son of my vows?
3 Give not thy strength unto women, nor thy ways to them that destroy kings.
Give not your wealth to women, nor your mind and living to remorse. Do all things with counsel: drink wine with counsel.
4 It is not for kings, Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine, nor for rulers [to say], Where is the strong drink?
Princes are prone to anger: let them then not drink wine:
5 — lest they drink and forget the law, and pervert the judgment of any of the children of affliction.
lest they drink, and forget wisdom, and be not able to judge the poor rightly.
6 Give strong drink unto him that is ready to perish, and wine unto the bitter of soul:
Give strong drink to those that are in sorrow, and the wine to drink to those in pain:
7 let him drink, and forget his poverty, and remember his misery no more.
that they may forget their poverty, and may not remember their troubles any more.
8 Open thy mouth for the dumb, for the cause of all those that are left desolate.
Open your mouth with the word of God, and judge all fairly.
9 Open thy mouth, judge righteously, and minister justice to the afflicted and needy.
Open your mouth and judge justly, and plead the cause of the poor and weak.
10 Who can find a woman of worth? for her price is far above rubies.
Who shall find a virtuous woman? for such a one is more valuable than precious stones.
11 The heart of her husband confideth in her, and he shall have no lack of spoil.
The heart of her husband trusts in her: such a one shall stand in no need of fine spoils.
12 She doeth him good, and not evil, all the days of her life.
For she employs all her living for her husband's good.
13 She seeketh wool and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands.
Gathering wool and flax, she makes it serviceable with her hands.
14 She is like the merchants' ships: she bringeth her food from afar;
She is like a ship trading from a distance: so she procures her livelihood.
15 And she riseth while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and the day's work to her maidens.
And she rises by night, and gives food to her household, and [appointed] tasks to her maidens.
16 She considereth a field, and acquireth it; of the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard.
She views a farm, and buys it: and with the fruit of her hands she plants and a possession.
17 She girdeth her loins with strength, and maketh strong her arms.
She strongly girds her loins, and strengthens her arms for work.
18 She perceiveth that her earning is good; her lamp goeth not out by night.
And she finds by experience that working is good; and her candle goes not out all night.
19 She putteth her hands to the distaff, and her hands hold the spindle.
She reaches forth her arms to needful [works], and applies her hands to the spindle.
20 She stretcheth out her hand to the afflicted, and she reacheth forth her hands to the needy.
And she opens her hands to the needy, and reaches out fruit to the poor.
21 She is not afraid of the snow for her household; for all her household are clothed with scarlet.
Her husband is not anxious about those at home when he tarries anywhere abroad: for all her household are clothed.
22 She maketh herself coverlets; her clothing is byssus and purple.
She makes for her husband clothes of double texture, and garments for herself of fine linen and scarlet.
23 Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders 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 maketh body linen and selleth it, and delivereth girdles unto the merchant.
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 dignity are her clothing, and she laugheth [at] the coming day.
She puts on strength and honour; and rejoices in the last days.
26 She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and upon her tongue is the law of kindness.
But she opens her mouth wisely, and according to law.
27 She surveyeth the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness.
The ways of her household are careful, and she eats not the bread of idleness.
28 Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband [also], and he praiseth 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 done worthily, but thou excellest them all.
Many daughters have obtained wealth, many have wrought valiantly; but you have exceeded, you have surpassed all.
30 Gracefulness is deceitful and beauty is vain; a woman [that] feareth Jehovah, she 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 her of the fruit of her hands, and let her own works praise her in the gates.
Give her of the fruit of her lips; and let her husband be praised in the gates.
