Proverbs 31
1 The words of king Lemuel, the prophecy that his mother taught him.
These are the words of King Lemuel—the burden that his mother taught him:
2 What, my son? and what, the son of my womb? and what, the son of my vows?
What shall I say, O my son? What, O son of my womb? What, O son of my vows?
3 Give not your strength unto women, nor your ways to that which destroys kings.
Do not spend your strength on women or your vigor on those who ruin kings.
4 It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine; nor for princes strong drink:
It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine, or for rulers to crave strong drink,
5 Lest they drink, and forget the law, and pervert the judgment of any of the afflicted.
lest they drink and forget what is decreed, depriving all the oppressed of justice.
6 Give strong drink unto him that is ready to perish, and wine unto those that be of heavy hearts.
Give strong drink to one who is perishing, and wine to the bitter in soul.
7 Let him drink, and forget his poverty, and remember his misery no more.
Let him drink and forget his poverty, and remember his misery no more.
8 Open your mouth for the dumb in the cause of all such as are appointed to destruction.
Open your mouth for those with no voice, for the cause of all the dispossessed.
9 Open your mouth, judge righteously, and plead the cause of the poor and needy.
Open your mouth, judge righteously, and defend the cause of the poor and needy.
10 Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.
A wife of noble character, who can find? She is far more precious than rubies.
11 The heart of her husband does safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil.
The heart of her husband trusts in her, and he lacks nothing of value.
12 She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life.
She brings him good and not harm all the days of her life.
13 She seeks wool, and flax, and works willingly with her hands.
She selects wool and flax and works with eager hands.
14 She is like the merchants' ships; she brings her food from far.
She is like the merchant ships, bringing her food from afar.
15 She rises also while it is yet night, and gives food to her household, and a portion to her maidens.
She rises while it is still night to provide food for her household and portions for her maidservants.
16 She considers a field, and buys it: with the fruit of her hands she plants a vineyard.
She appraises a field and buys it; from her earnings she plants a vineyard.
17 She girds her loins with strength, and strengthens her arms.
She girds herself with strength and shows that her arms are strong.
18 She perceives that her merchandise is good: her candle goes not out by night.
She sees that her gain is good, and her lamp is not extinguished at night.
19 She lays her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff.
She stretches out her hands to the distaff and grasps the spindle with her fingers.
20 She stretches out her hand to the poor; yea, she reachs forth her hands to the needy.
She opens her arms to the poor and reaches out her hands to the needy.
21 She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household are clothed with scarlet.
When it snows, she has no fear for her household, for they are all clothed in scarlet.
22 She makes herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple.
She makes coverings for her bed; her clothing is fine linen and purple.
23 Her husband is known in the gates, when he sits among the elders of the land.
Her husband is known at the city gate, where he sits among the elders of the land.
24 She makes fine linen, and sells it; and delivers girdles unto the merchant.
She makes linen garments and sells them; she delivers sashes to the merchants.
25 Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come.
Strength and honor are her clothing, and she can laugh at the days to come.
26 She opens her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness.
She opens her mouth with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue.
27 She looks well to the ways of her household, and eats not the bread of idleness.
She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness.
28 Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her.
Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband praises her as well:
29 Many daughters have done virtuously, but you excel them all.
“Many daughters have done noble things, but you surpass them all!”
30 Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that fears the LORD, she shall be praised.
Charm is deceptive and beauty is fleeting, but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.
31 Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates.
Give her the fruit of her hands, and let her works praise her at the gates.
