Proverbs 31
1 The words of king Lemuel, the prophecy that his mother taught him.
The words given to King Lemuel; the prophecy which his mother taught him.
2 What, my son? and what, the son of my womb? and what, the son of my vows?
What, O my son! and what, O son of my womb! Yea, what, O son of my vows! [[shall I say to thee?]]
3 Give not thy strength unto women, nor thy ways to that which destroyeth kings.
Give not thy strength to women, Nor thy ways to that which destroyeth 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, Nor for princes to desire strong drink;
5 Lest they drink, and forget the law, and pervert the judgment of any of the afflicted.
Lest they drink, and forget the law, And pervert the rights of any of the afflicted.
6 Give strong drink unto him that is ready to perish, and wine unto those that be of heavy hearts.
Give strong drink to him who is ready to perish, And wine to him that hath a heavy heart;
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 thy mouth for the dumb in the cause of all such as are appointed to destruction.
Open thy mouth for the dumb, In the cause of every orphan!
9 Open thy mouth, judge righteously, and plead the cause of the poor and needy.
Open thy mouth, judge righteously, And maintain the cause of the poor and needy!
10 Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price [is] far above rubies.
Who can find a capable woman? Her worth is far above pearls.
11 The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil.
The heart of her husband trusteth in her, And he is in no want of gain.
12 She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life.
She doeth him good, and not evil, All the days of her life.
13 She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands.
She seeketh wool and flax, And worketh willingly with her hands.
14 She is like the merchants’ ships; she bringeth her food from afar.
She is like the merchants' ships; She bringeth her food from afar.
15 She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens.
She riseth while it is yet night, And giveth food to her family, And a task to her maidens.
16 She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard.
She layeth a plan for a field, and buyeth it; With the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard.
17 She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms.
She girdeth her loins with strength, And maketh strong her arms.
18 She perceiveth that her merchandise [is] good: her candle goeth not out by night.
She perceiveth how pleasant is her gain, And her lamp is not extinguished in the night.
19 She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff.
She putteth forth her hands to the distaff, And her hands take hold of the spindle.
20 She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy.
She spreadeth out her hand to the poor, Yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy.
21 She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household [are] clothed with scarlet.
She hath no fear for her household on account of the snow, For all her household are clothed with crimson.
22 She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing [is] silk and purple.
She maketh for herself coverlets; Her clothing is of fine linen and purple.
23 Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land.
Her husband is known in the gates, When he sitteth with the elders of the land.
24 She maketh fine linen, and selleth [it; ] and delivereth girdles unto the merchant.
She maketh linen garments and selleth them, And delivereth girdles to the merchant.
25 Strength and honour [are] her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come.
Strength and honor are her clothing; And she laugheth at the days to come.
26 She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue [is] the law of kindness.
She openeth her mouth with wisdom, And kind instruction is upon her tongue.
27 She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness.
She looketh well to the ways of her household, And eateth not the bread of idleness.
28 Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband [also], and he praiseth her.
Her children rise up, and extol her; Her husband, and praiseth her, [[saving, ]]
29 Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all.
“Many daughters have done, virtuously, But thou excellest them all.”
30 Favour [is] deceitful, and beauty [is] vain: [but] a woman [that] feareth the LORD, she shall be praised.
Grace is deceitful, and beauty vain; But 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 ye her of the fruit of her hands, And let her works praise her in the gates.
