Proverbs 31
1 The words of king Lemuel; the burden wherewith his mother corrected him.
The words of king Lamuel. The vision by which his mother instructed him:
2 What, my son? and what, O son of my womb? and what, O son of my vows?
“What, O my beloved? What, O beloved of my womb? What, O beloved of my vows?
3 Give not thy strength unto women, nor thy ways to that which destroyeth kings.
Do not give your substance to women, or your riches to overthrow kings.
4 It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine: nor for princes to say: 'Where is strong drink?'
Not to kings, O Lamuel, not to kings give wine. For there are no secrets where drunkenness reigns.
5 Lest they drink, and forget that which is decreed, and pervert the justice due to any that is afflicted.
And perhaps they may drink and forget judgments, and alter the case of the sons of the poor.
6 Give strong drink unto him that is ready to perish, and wine unto the bitter in soul;
Give strong drink to the grieving, and wine to those who are bitter in soul.
7 Let him drink, and forget his poverty, and remember his misery no more.
Let them drink, and forget their needs, and remember their sorrow no more.
8 Open thy mouth for the dumb, in the cause of all such as are appointed to destruction.
Open your mouth for the mute and for all the cases of the sons who are passing through.
9 Open thy mouth, judge righteously, and plead the cause of the poor and needy.
Open your mouth, declare what is just, and do justice to the indigent and the poor.
10 A woman of valour who can find? for her price is far above rubies.
Who shall find a strong woman? Far away, and from the furthest parts, is her price.
11 The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, and he hath no lack of gain.
The heart of her husband confides in her, and he will not be deprived of spoils.
12 She doeth him good and not evil all the days of her life.
She will repay him with good, and not evil, all the days of her life.
13 She seeketh wool and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands.
She has sought wool and flax, and she has worked these by the counsel of her hands.
14 She is like the merchant-ships; she bringeth her food from afar.
She has become like a merchant’s ship, bringing her bread from far away.
15 She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth food to her household, and a portion to her maidens.
And she has risen in the night, and given a prey to her household, and provisions to her maids.
16 She considereth a field, and buyeth it; with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard.
She has considered a field and bought it. From the fruit of her own hands, she has planted a vineyard.
17 She girdeth her loins with strength, and maketh strong her arms.
She has wrapped her waist with fortitude, and she has strengthened her arm.
18 She perceiveth that her merchandise is good; her lamp goeth not out by night.
She has tasted and seen that her tasks are good; her lamp shall not be extinguished at night.
19 She layeth her hands to the distaff, and her hands hold the spindle.
She has put her hand to strong things, and her fingers have taken hold of the spindle.
20 She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy.
She has opened her hand to the needy, and she has extended her hands to the poor.
21 She is not afraid of the snow for her household; for all her household are clothed with scarlet.
She shall not fear, in the cold of snow, for her household. For all those of her household have been clothed two-fold.
22 She maketh for herself coverlets; her clothing is fine linen and purple.
She has made embroidered clothing for herself. Fine linen and purple is her garment.
23 Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land.
Her husband is noble at the gates, when he sits among the senators of the land.
24 She maketh linen garments and selleth them; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant.
She has made finely woven cloth and sold it, and she has delivered a waistband to the Canaanite.
25 Strength and dignity are her clothing; and she laugheth at the time to come.
Strength and elegance are her clothing, and she will laugh in the final days.
26 She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and the law of kindness is on her tongue.
She has opened her mouth to wisdom, and the law of clemency is on her tongue.
27 She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness.
She has considered the paths of her household, and she has not eaten her bread in idleness.
28 Her children rise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her:
Her sons rose up and predicted great happiness; her husband rose up and praised her.
29 'Many daughters have done valiantly, but thou excellest them all.'
Many daughters have gathered together riches; you have surpassed them all.
30 Grace is deceitful, and beauty is vain; but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised.
Charm is false, and beauty is vain. The woman who fears the Lord, the same shall be praised.
31 Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her works praise her in the gates.
Give to her from the fruit of her own hands. And let her works praise her at the gates.
