Proverbs 31
1 These are the words of King Lemuel, an oracle, taught to him by his mother.
The words of King Lemuel—the revelation which his mother taught him:
2 What shall I tell you, my son?—the son I gave birth to, the son given in response to my vows.
“Oh, my son! Oh, son of my womb! Oh, son of my vows!
3 Don't waste your strength sleeping with women, those that bring down kings.
Do not give your strength to women, nor your ways to that which destroys kings.
4 Lemuel, kings shouldn't be drinking wine, rulers shouldn't be drinking alcohol.
It is not for kings, Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine, nor for princes to say, ‘Where is strong drink?’
5 For if they drink, they'll forget what the law says, and pervert the rights of those who are suffering.
lest they drink, and forget the law, and pervert the justice due to anyone who is afflicted.
6 Give alcohol to those who are dying, and wine to those who are in terrible distress.
Give strong drink to him who is ready to perish, and wine to the bitter in soul.
7 Let them drink so they can forget their poverty, and not remember their troubles any longer.
Let him drink, and forget his poverty, and remember his misery no more.
8 Speak up for those who have no voice, for the rights of those marginalized by society.
Open your mouth for the mute, in the cause of all who are left desolate.
9 Speak up and judge fairly; defend the poor and destitute.
Open your mouth, judge righteously, and serve justice to the poor and needy.”
10 Who can find a strong, capable wife? She's worth more than jewels!
Who can find a worthy woman? For her value is far above rubies.
11 Her husband has complete confidence in her, and with her he'll never be poor.
The heart of her husband trusts in her. He shall have no lack of gain.
12 She brings him good, not evil, all her life.
She does him good, and not harm, all the days of her life.
13 She gets wool and flax, and with her eager hands turns them into clothes.
She seeks wool and flax, and works eagerly with her hands.
14 Like a merchant's ship, she brings food from far away.
She is like the merchant ships. She brings her bread from afar.
15 She gets up while it's still dark to make breakfast for her family, and to plan what her servant girls need to do.
She rises also while it is yet night, gives food to her household, and portions for her servant girls.
16 She looks at a field, and decides to buy it; from the money she's earned she buys a vineyard.
She considers a field, and buys it. With the fruit of her hands, she plants a vineyard.
17 She's keen to get ready, and works hard with her strong arms.
She arms her waist with strength, and makes her arms strong.
18 She knows that the things she makes are valuable. She keeps busy—her lamp burns late into the night.
She perceives that her merchandise is profitable. Her lamp does not go out by night.
19 She spins the thread and weaves the cloth.
She lays her hands to the distaff, and her hands hold the spindle.
20 She's generous to the poor, and gives help to the needy.
She opens her arms to the poor; yes, she extends her hands to the needy.
21 She doesn't worry if it snows, because her whole family has warm clothing.
She is not afraid of the snow for her household, for all her household are clothed with scarlet.
22 She makes herself bedspreads; she dresses in fine linen and purple clothes.
She makes for herself carpets of tapestry. Her clothing is fine linen and purple.
23 Her husband is well-respected in the council at the town gates, where he sits with the town elders.
Her husband is respected in the gates, when he sits among the elders of the land.
24 She makes linen clothes for sale, and supplies merchants with belts.
She makes linen garments and sells them, and delivers sashes to the merchant.
25 She's clothed with strength and dignity, and she is happy about the future.
Strength and dignity are her clothing. She laughs at the time to come.
26 She speaks wise words, and she's kind when she gives instructions.
She opens her mouth with wisdom. Kind instruction is on her tongue.
27 She looks after the needs of her whole household, and she's never idle.
She looks well to the ways of her household, and does not eat the bread of idleness.
28 Her children are quick to bless her. Her husband praises her too, saying,
Her children rise up and call her blessed. Her husband also praises her:
29 “Many women do great things, but you are better than all of them!”
“Many women do noble things, but you excel them all.”
30 Charm can deceive, and beauty fades, but a woman who honors the Lord should be praised.
Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain; but a woman who fears the LORD, she shall be praised.
31 Give her the recognition she deserves; praise her publicly for what she's done.
Give her of the fruit of her hands! Let her works praise her in the gates!
