Proverbs 31
1 The words of king Lemuel, the prophecy that his mother taught him.
The words of king Lamuel. The vision wherewith his mother instructed him.
2 What, my son? and what, the son of my womb? and what, the son of my vows?
What, O my beloved, what, O the beloved of my womb, what, O the beloved of my vows?
3 Give not your strength unto women, nor your ways to that which destroys kings.
Give not thy substance to women, and thy riches to destroy kings.
4 It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine; nor for princes strong drink:
Give not to kings, O Lamuel, give not wine to kings: because there is no secret where drunkenness reigneth:
5 Lest they drink, and forget the law, and pervert the judgment of any of the afflicted.
And lest they drink and forget judgments, and pervert the cause of the children of the poor.
6 Give strong drink unto him that is ready to perish, and wine unto those that be of heavy hearts.
Give strong drink to them that are sad: and wine to them that are grieved in mind:
7 Let him drink, and forget his poverty, and remember his misery no more.
Let them drink, and forget their want, and remember their sorrow no more.
8 Open your mouth for the dumb in the cause of all such as are appointed to destruction.
Open thy mouth for the dumb, and for the causes of all the children that pass.
9 Open your mouth, judge righteously, and plead the cause of the poor and needy.
Open thy mouth, decree that which is just, and do justice to the needy and poor.
10 Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.
Who shall find a valiant woman? far and from the uttermost coasts is the price of her.
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 trusteth in her, and he shall have no need of spoils.
12 She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life.
She will render him good, and not evil, all the days of her life.
13 She seeks wool, and flax, and works willingly with her hands.
She hath sought wool and flax, and hath wrought by the counsel of her hands.
14 She is like the merchants' ships; she brings her food from far.
She is like the merchant’s ship, she bringeth her bread from afar.
15 She rises also while it is yet night, and gives food to her household, and a portion to her maidens.
And she hath risen in the night, and given a prey to her household, and victuals to her maidens.
16 She considers a field, and buys it: with the fruit of her hands she plants a vineyard.
She hath considered a field, and bought it: with the fruit of her hands she hath planted a vineyard.
17 She girds her loins with strength, and strengthens her arms.
She hath girded her loins with strength, and hath strengthened her arm.
18 She perceives that her merchandise is good: her candle goes not out by night.
She hath tasted and seen that her traffic is good: her lamp shall not be put out in the night.
19 She lays her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff.
She hath put out her hand to strong things, and her fingers have taken hold of the spindle.
20 She stretches out her hand to the poor; yea, she reachs forth her hands to the needy.
She hath opened her hand to the needy, and stretched out 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 for her house in the cold of snow: for all her domestics are clothed with double garments.
22 She makes herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple.
She hath made for herself clothing of tapestry: fine linen, and purple is her covering.
23 Her husband is known in the gates, when he sits among the elders of the land.
Her husband is honourable in the gates, when he sitteth among the senators of the land.
24 She makes fine linen, and sells it; and delivers girdles unto the merchant.
She made fine linen, and sold it, and delivered a girdle to the Chanaanite.
25 Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come.
Strength and beauty are her clothing, and she shall laugh in the latter day.
26 She opens her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness.
She hath opened her mouth to wisdom, and the law of clemency is on her tongue.
27 She looks well to the ways of her household, and eats not the bread of idleness.
She hath looked well to the paths of her house, and hath not eaten her bread idle.
28 Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her.
Her children rose up, and called her blessed: her husband, and he praised her.
29 Many daughters have done virtuously, but you excel them all.
Many daughters have gathered together riches: thou hast surpassed them all.
30 Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that fears the LORD, she shall be praised.
Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: the woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised.
31 Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates.
Give her of the fruit of her hands: and let her works praise her in the gates.
