Proverbs 31
1 The words of king Lemuel, the prophecy that his mother taught him:
The words of king Lemuel, the prophecy that his mother taught him.
2 What, my son? and what, O son of my womb? and what, O son of my vows?
What, my son? and what, the son of my womb? and what, the son of my vows?
3 Give not thy strength unto women, nor thy ways to them that destroy kings.
Give not your strength unto women, nor your ways to that which destroys kings.
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?
It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine; nor for princes strong drink:
5 — lest they drink and forget the law, and pervert the judgment of any of the children of affliction.
Lest they drink, and forget the law, and pervert the judgment of any of the afflicted.
6 Give strong drink unto him that is ready to perish, and wine unto the bitter of soul:
Give strong drink unto him that is ready to perish, and wine unto those that be of heavy hearts.
7 let him drink, and forget his poverty, and remember his misery no more.
Let him drink, and forget his poverty, and remember his misery no more.
8 Open thy mouth for the dumb, for the cause of all those that are left desolate.
Open your mouth for the dumb in the cause of all such as are appointed to destruction.
9 Open thy mouth, judge righteously, and minister justice to the afflicted and needy.
Open your mouth, judge righteously, and plead the cause of the poor and needy.
10 Who can find a woman of worth? for her price is far above rubies.
Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.
11 The heart of her husband confideth in her, and he shall have no lack of spoil.
The heart of her husband does safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil.
12 She doeth him good, and not evil, all the days of her life.
She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life.
13 She seeketh wool and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands.
She seeks wool, and flax, and works willingly with her hands.
14 She is like the merchants' ships: she bringeth her food from afar;
She is like the merchants' ships; she brings her food from far.
15 And she riseth while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and the day's work to her maidens.
She rises also while it is yet night, and gives food to her household, and a portion to her maidens.
16 She considereth a field, and acquireth it; of the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard.
She considers a field, and buys it: with the fruit of her hands she plants a vineyard.
17 She girdeth her loins with strength, and maketh strong her arms.
She girds her loins with strength, and strengthens her arms.
18 She perceiveth that her earning is good; her lamp goeth not out by night.
She perceives that her merchandise is good: her candle goes not out by night.
19 She putteth her hands to the distaff, and her hands hold the spindle.
She lays her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff.
20 She stretcheth out her hand to the afflicted, and she reacheth forth her hands to the needy.
She stretches out her hand to the poor; yea, she reachs forth her hands to the needy.
21 She is not afraid of the snow for her household; for all her household are clothed with scarlet.
She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household are clothed with scarlet.
22 She maketh herself coverlets; her clothing is byssus and purple.
She makes herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple.
23 Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land.
Her husband is known in the gates, when he sits among the elders of the land.
24 She maketh body linen and selleth it, and delivereth girdles unto the merchant.
She makes fine linen, and sells it; and delivers girdles unto the merchant.
25 Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she laugheth [at] the coming day.
Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come.
26 She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and upon her tongue is the law of kindness.
She opens her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness.
27 She surveyeth the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness.
She looks well to the ways of her household, and eats not the bread of idleness.
28 Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband [also], and he praiseth her:
Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her.
29 Many daughters have done worthily, but thou excellest them all.
Many daughters have done virtuously, but you excel them all.
30 Gracefulness is deceitful and beauty is vain; a woman [that] feareth Jehovah, she shall be praised.
Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that fears the LORD, she shall be praised.
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 hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates.
