Proverbs 31
1 The words of king Lamuel. The vision wherewith his mother instructed him.
The words of King Lemuel—an instruction 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? What is it, son of my womb? What do you want, son of my vows?
3 Give not thy substance to women, and thy riches to destroy kings.
Do not give your strength to women, or your ways to those who destroy 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, Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine, or for rulers to crave strong drink,
5 And lest they drink and forget judgments, and pervert the cause of the children of the poor.
because when they drink they forget what has been decreed, and pervert the rights of all the afflicted.
6 Give strong drink to them that are sad: and wine to them that are grieved in mind:
Give strong drink to a person who is perishing and wine to those in bitter distress.
7 Let them drink, and forget their want, and remember their sorrow no more.
He will drink and he will forget his poverty and he will not remember his trouble.
8 Open thy mouth for the dumb, and for the causes of all the children that pass.
Speak for those who cannot speak, for the causes of all who are perishing.
9 Open thy mouth, decree that which is just, and do justice to the needy and poor.
Speak out and judge by the measure of what is right and plead the cause of poor and needy people.
10 Who shall find a valiant woman? far and from the uttermost coasts is the price of her.
Who can find a capable wife? Her value is far more than jewels.
11 The heart of her husband trusteth in her, and he shall have no need of spoils.
The heart of her husband trusts in her, and he will never be poor.
12 She will render him good, and not evil, all the days of her life.
She does good things for him 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 selects wool and flax, and works with the delight of her hands.
14 She is like the merchant’s ship, she bringeth her bread from afar.
She is like the merchant ships; she brings her food from far away.
15 And she hath risen in the night, and given a prey to her household, and victuals to her maidens.
She rises while it is night and gives food to her household, and she distributes the work for her female servants.
16 She hath considered a field, and bought it: with the fruit of her hands she hath planted a vineyard.
She considers a field and buys it, with the fruit of her hands she plants a vineyard.
17 She hath girded her loins with strength, and hath strengthened her arm.
She dresses herself with strength and makes her arms strong.
18 She hath tasted and seen that her traffic is good: her lamp shall not be put out in the night.
She perceives what will make a good profit for her; all night long her lamp is not extinguished.
19 She hath put out her hand to strong things, and her fingers have taken hold of the spindle.
She puts her hands on the spindle, and she holds the twisting thread.
20 She hath opened her hand to the needy, and stretched out her hands to the poor.
She reaches out with her hand to poor people; she reaches out with her hands to needy people.
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 in scarlet.
22 She hath made for herself clothing of tapestry: fine linen, and purple is her covering.
She makes coverings for her bed, and she wears clothes of fine purple linen.
23 Her husband is honourable in the gates, when he sitteth among the senators of the land.
Her husband is known at the gates, when he sits with the elders of the land.
24 She made fine linen, and sold it, and delivered a girdle to the Chanaanite.
She makes linen garments and sells them, and she supplies sashes to the merchants.
25 Strength and beauty are her clothing, and she shall laugh in the latter day.
She is clothed with strength and honor, and she laughs at the time to come.
26 She hath opened her mouth to wisdom, and the law of clemency is on her tongue.
She opens her mouth with wisdom and the law of kindness is on her tongue.
27 She hath looked well to the paths of her house, and hath not eaten her bread idle.
She watches over the ways of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness.
28 Her children rose up, and called her blessed: her husband, and he praised her.
Her children rise up and call her blessed, and her husband praises her, saying,
29 Many daughters have gathered together riches: thou hast surpassed them all.
“Many women have done well, but you surpassed them all.”
30 Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: the woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised.
Elegance is deceptive, beauty is vain, but a woman who fears Yahweh, she will be praised.
31 Give her of the fruit of her hands: and let her works praise her in the gates.
Give her the fruit of her hands and let her works praise her in the gates.
