Proverbs 31
1 The words of king Lamuel. The vision wherewith his mother instructed him.
The words of king Lemuel, the prophecy that his mother taught him.
2 What, O my beloved, what, O the beloved of my womb, what, O the beloved of my vows?
What, my son? and what, the son of my womb? and what, the son of my vows?
3 Give not thy substance to women, and thy riches to destroy kings.
Give not thy strength unto women, nor thy ways to that which destroyeth kings.
4 Give not to kings, O Lamuel, give not wine to kings: because there is no secret where drunkenness reigneth:
It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine; nor for princes strong drink:
5 And lest they drink and forget judgments, and pervert the cause of the children of the poor.
Lest they drink, and forget the law, and pervert the judgment of any of the afflicted.
6 Give strong drink to them that are sad: and wine to them that are grieved in mind:
Give strong drink unto him that is ready to perish, and wine unto those that be of heavy hearts.
7 Let them drink, and forget their want, and remember their sorrow no more.
Let him drink, and forget his poverty, and remember his misery no more.
8 Open thy mouth for the dumb, and for the causes of all the children that pass.
Open thy mouth for the dumb in the cause of all such as are appointed to destruction.
9 Open thy mouth, decree that which is just, and do justice to the needy and poor.
Open thy mouth, judge righteously, and plead the cause of the poor and needy.
10 Who shall find a valiant woman? far and from the uttermost coasts is the price of her.
Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.
11 The heart of her husband trusteth in her, and he shall have no need of spoils.
The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil.
12 She will render 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 hath sought wool and flax, and hath wrought by the counsel of her hands.
She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands.
14 She is like the merchant’s ship, she bringeth her bread from afar.
She is like the merchants' ships; she bringeth her food from afar.
15 And she hath risen in the night, and given a prey to her household, and victuals to her maidens.
She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens.
16 She hath considered a field, and bought it: with the fruit of her hands she hath planted a vineyard.
She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard.
17 She hath girded her loins with strength, and hath strengthened her arm.
She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms.
18 She hath tasted and seen that her traffic is good: her lamp shall not be put out in the night.
She perceiveth that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out by night.
19 She hath put out her hand to strong things, and her fingers have taken hold of the spindle.
She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff.
20 She hath opened her hand to the needy, and stretched out her hands to the poor.
She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy.
21 She shall not fear for her house in the cold of snow: for all her domestics are clothed with double garments.
She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household are clothed with scarlet.
22 She hath made for herself clothing of tapestry: fine linen, and purple is her covering.
She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple.
23 Her husband is honourable in the gates, when he sitteth among the senators of the land.
Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land.
24 She made fine linen, and sold it, and delivered a girdle to the Chanaanite.
She maketh fine linen, and selleth it; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant.
25 Strength and beauty are her clothing, and she shall laugh in the latter day.
Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come.
26 She hath opened her mouth to wisdom, and the law of clemency is on her tongue.
She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness.
27 She hath looked well to the paths of her house, and hath not eaten her bread idle.
She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness.
28 Her children rose up, and called her blessed: her husband, and he praised her.
Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her.
29 Many daughters have gathered together riches: thou hast surpassed them all.
Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all.
30 Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: the woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised.
Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth YHWH, she shall be praised.
31 Give her of the fruit of her hands: and let her works praise her in the gates.
Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates.
