Proverbs 31
1 These are the words of King Lemuel, an oracle, taught to him by his mother.
The words of king Lemuel, the prophecy 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, my son? and what, the son of my womb? and what, the son of my vows?
3 Don't waste your strength sleeping with women, those that bring down kings.
Give not 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, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine; nor for princes 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 judgment of any of the afflicted.
6 Give alcohol to those who are dying, and wine to those who are in terrible distress.
Give strong drink to him that is ready to perish, and wine to those that be of heavy hearts.
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 dumb in the cause of all such as are appointed to destruction.
9 Speak up and judge fairly; defend the poor and destitute.
Open your mouth, judge righteously, and plead the cause of the poor and needy.
10 Who can find a strong, capable wife? She's worth more than jewels!
Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price 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 does safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil.
12 She brings him good, not evil, all her life.
She will do him good and not evil 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 willingly with her hands.
14 Like a merchant's ship, she brings food from far away.
She is like the merchants’ ships; she brings 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 also while it is yet night, and gives meat to her household, and a portion 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 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 girds her loins with strength, and strengthens her arms.
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 good: her candle goes not out by night.
19 She spins the thread and weaves the cloth.
She lays her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff.
20 She's generous to the poor, and gives help to the needy.
She stretches out her hand to the poor; yes, she reaches forth 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 herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk 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 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 fine linen, and sells it; and delivers girdles to the merchant.
25 She's clothed with strength and dignity, and she is happy about the future.
Strength and honor are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come.
26 She speaks wise words, and she's kind when she gives instructions.
She opens her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness.
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 eats not the bread of idleness.
28 Her children are quick to bless her. Her husband praises her too, saying,
Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her.
29 “Many women do great things, but you are better than all of them!”
Many daughters have done virtuously, but you excel them all.
30 Charm can deceive, and beauty fades, but a woman who honors the Lord should be praised.
Favor is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that 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; and let her own works praise her in the gates.
