Proverbs 31
1 These are the words of King Lemuel, an oracle, taught to him by his mother.
My words have been spoken by God—the oracular answer of a king, whom his mother instructed.
2 What shall I tell you, my son?—the son I gave birth to, the son given in response to my vows.
What wilt thou keep, my son, what? the words of God. My firstborn son, I speak to thee: what? son of my womb? what? son of my vows?
3 Don't waste your strength sleeping with women, those that bring down kings.
Give not thy wealth to women, nor thy mind and living to remorse. Do all things with counsel: drink wine with counsel.
4 Lemuel, kings shouldn't be drinking wine, rulers shouldn't be drinking alcohol.
Princes are prone to anger: let them then not drink wine:
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 wisdom, and be not able to judge the poor rightly.
6 Give alcohol to those who are dying, and wine to those who are in terrible distress.
Give strong drink to those that are in sorrow, and the wine to drink to those in pain:
7 Let them drink so they can forget their poverty, and not remember their troubles any longer.
that they may forget their poverty, and may not remember their troubles any more.
8 Speak up for those who have no voice, for the rights of those marginalized by society.
Open thy mouth with the word of God, and judge all fairly.
9 Speak up and judge fairly; defend the poor and destitute.
Open thy mouth and judge justly, and plead the cause of the poor and weak.
10 Who can find a strong, capable wife? She's worth more than jewels!
Who shall find a virtuous woman? for such a one is more valuable than precious stones.
11 Her husband has complete confidence in her, and with her he'll never be poor.
The heart of her husband trusts in her: such a one shall stand in no need of fine spoils.
12 She brings him good, not evil, all her life.
For she employs all her living for her husband's good.
13 She gets wool and flax, and with her eager hands turns them into clothes.
Gathering wool and flax, she makes it serviceable with her hands.
14 Like a merchant's ship, she brings food from far away.
She is like a ship trading from a distance: so she procures her livelihood.
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.
And she rises by night, and gives food to her household, and [appointed] tasks to her maidens.
16 She looks at a field, and decides to buy it; from the money she's earned she buys a vineyard.
She views a farm, and buys it: and with the fruit of her hands she plants and a possession.
17 She's keen to get ready, and works hard with her strong arms.
She strongly girds her loins, and strengthens her arms for work.
18 She knows that the things she makes are valuable. She keeps busy—her lamp burns late into the night.
And she finds by experience that working is good; and her candle goes not out all night.
19 She spins the thread and weaves the cloth.
She reaches forth her arms to needful [works], and applies her hands to the spindle.
20 She's generous to the poor, and gives help to the needy.
And she opens her hands to the needy, and reaches out fruit to the poor.
21 She doesn't worry if it snows, because her whole family has warm clothing.
Her husband is not anxious about those at home when he tarries anywhere abroad: for all her household are clothed.
22 She makes herself bedspreads; she dresses in fine linen and purple clothes.
She makes for her husband clothes of double texture, and garments for herself of fine linen and scarlet.
23 Her husband is well-respected in the council at the town gates, where he sits with the town elders.
And her husband becomes a distinguished [person] in the gates, when he sits in council with the old inhabitants of the land.
24 She makes linen clothes for sale, and supplies merchants with belts.
She makes fine linens, and sells girdles to the Chananites: she opens her mouth heedfully and with propriety, and controls her tongue.
25 She's clothed with strength and dignity, and she is happy about the future.
She puts on strength and honour; and rejoices in the last days.
26 She speaks wise words, and she's kind when she gives instructions.
But she opens her mouth wisely, and according to law.
27 She looks after the needs of her whole household, and she's never idle.
The ways of her household are careful, and she eats not the bread of idleness.
28 Her children are quick to bless her. Her husband praises her too, saying,
And [her] kindness to them sets up her children for them, and they grow rich, and her husband praises her.
29 “Many women do great things, but you are better than all of them!”
Many daughters have obtained wealth, many have wrought valiantly; but thou hast exceeded, thou hast surpassed all.
30 Charm can deceive, and beauty fades, but a woman who honors the Lord should be praised.
Charms are false, and woman's beauty is vain: for it is a wise woman that is blessed, and let her praise the fear the Lord.
31 Give her the recognition she deserves; praise her publicly for what she's done.
Give her of the fruit of her lips; and let her husband be praised in the gates.
