Proverbs 31
1 These are the words of King Lemuel, an oracle, taught to him by his mother.
These are the words of King Lemuel—the burden that 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.
What shall I say, O my son? What, O son of my womb? What, O son of my vows?
3 Don't waste your strength sleeping with women, those that bring down kings.
Do not spend your strength on women or your vigor on those who ruin kings.
4 Lemuel, kings shouldn't be drinking wine, rulers shouldn't be drinking alcohol.
It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine, or for rulers to crave 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 what is decreed, depriving all the oppressed of justice.
6 Give alcohol to those who are dying, and wine to those who are in terrible distress.
Give strong drink to one who is perishing, 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 those with no voice, for the cause of all the dispossessed.
9 Speak up and judge fairly; defend the poor and destitute.
Open your mouth, judge righteously, and defend the cause of the poor and needy.
10 Who can find a strong, capable wife? She's worth more than jewels!
A wife of noble character, who can find? She is far more precious than 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, and he lacks nothing of value.
12 She brings him good, not evil, all her life.
She brings 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 selects wool and flax and works with eager hands.
14 Like a merchant's ship, she brings food from far away.
She is like the merchant ships, bringing her food 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 while it is still night to provide food for her household and portions for her maidservants.
16 She looks at a field, and decides to buy it; from the money she's earned she buys a vineyard.
She appraises a field and buys it; from her earnings she plants a vineyard.
17 She's keen to get ready, and works hard with her strong arms.
She girds herself with strength and shows that her arms are strong.
18 She knows that the things she makes are valuable. She keeps busy—her lamp burns late into the night.
She sees that her gain is good, and her lamp is not extinguished at night.
19 She spins the thread and weaves the cloth.
She stretches out her hands to the distaff and grasps the spindle with her fingers.
20 She's generous to the poor, and gives help to the needy.
She opens her arms to the poor and reaches out her hands to the needy.
21 She doesn't worry if it snows, because her whole family has warm clothing.
When it snows, she has no fear for her household, for they are all clothed in scarlet.
22 She makes herself bedspreads; she dresses in fine linen and purple clothes.
She makes coverings for her bed; 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 known at the city gate, where 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; she delivers sashes to the merchants.
25 She's clothed with strength and dignity, and she is happy about the future.
Strength and honor are her clothing, and she can laugh at the days to come.
26 She speaks wise words, and she's kind when she gives instructions.
She opens her mouth with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue.
27 She looks after the needs of her whole household, and she's never idle.
She watches over the affairs 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 praises her as well:
29 “Many women do great things, but you are better than all of them!”
“Many daughters have done noble things, but you surpass them all!”
30 Charm can deceive, and beauty fades, but a woman who honors the Lord should be praised.
Charm is deceptive and beauty is fleeting, but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.
31 Give her the recognition she deserves; praise her publicly for what she's done.
Give her the fruit of her hands, and let her works praise her at the gates.
