Proverbs 31
1 My words have been spoken by God—the oracular answer of a king, whom his mother instructed.
The words of king Lamuel. The vision by which his mother instructed him:
2 What will you keep, my son, what? the words of God. My firstborn son, I speak to you: what? son of my womb? what? son of my vows?
“What, O my beloved? What, O beloved of my womb? What, O beloved of my vows?
3 Give not your wealth to women, nor your mind and living to remorse. Do all things with counsel: drink wine with counsel.
Do not give your substance to women, or your riches to overthrow kings.
4 Princes are prone to anger: let them then not drink wine:
Not to kings, O Lamuel, not to kings give wine. For there are no secrets where drunkenness reigns.
5 lest they drink, and forget wisdom, and be not able to judge the poor rightly.
And perhaps they may drink and forget judgments, and alter the case of the sons of the poor.
6 Give strong drink to those that are in sorrow, and the wine to drink to those in pain:
Give strong drink to the grieving, and wine to those who are bitter in soul.
7 that they may forget their poverty, and may not remember their troubles any more.
Let them drink, and forget their needs, and remember their sorrow no more.
8 Open your mouth with the word of God, and judge all fairly.
Open your mouth for the mute and for all the cases of the sons who are passing through.
9 Open your mouth and judge justly, and plead the cause of the poor and weak.
Open your mouth, declare what is just, and do justice to the indigent and the poor.
10 Who shall find a virtuous woman? for such a one is more valuable than precious stones.
Who shall find a strong woman? Far away, and from the furthest parts, is her price.
11 The heart of her husband trusts in her: such a one shall stand in no need of fine spoils.
The heart of her husband confides in her, and he will not be deprived of spoils.
12 For she employs all her living for her husband's good.
She will repay him with good, and not evil, all the days of her life.
13 Gathering wool and flax, she makes it serviceable with her hands.
She has sought wool and flax, and she has worked these by the counsel of her hands.
14 She is like a ship trading from a distance: so she procures her livelihood.
She has become like a merchant’s ship, bringing her bread from far away.
15 And she rises by night, and gives food to her household, and [appointed] tasks to her maidens.
And she has risen in the night, and given a prey to her household, and provisions to her maids.
16 She views a farm, and buys it: and with the fruit of her hands she plants and a possession.
She has considered a field and bought it. From the fruit of her own hands, she has planted a vineyard.
17 She strongly girds her loins, and strengthens her arms for work.
She has wrapped her waist with fortitude, and she has strengthened her arm.
18 And she finds by experience that working is good; and her candle goes not out all night.
She has tasted and seen that her tasks are good; her lamp shall not be extinguished at night.
19 She reaches forth her arms to needful [works], and applies her hands to the spindle.
She has put her hand to strong things, and her fingers have taken hold of the spindle.
20 And she opens her hands to the needy, and reaches out fruit to the poor.
She has opened her hand to the needy, and she has extended her hands to the poor.
21 Her husband is not anxious about those at home when he tarries anywhere abroad: for all her household are clothed.
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 makes for her husband clothes of double texture, and garments for herself of fine linen and scarlet.
She has made embroidered clothing for herself. Fine linen and purple is her garment.
23 And her husband becomes a distinguished [person] in the gates, when he sits in council with the old inhabitants of the land.
Her husband is noble at the gates, when he sits among the senators of the land.
24 She makes fine linens, and sells girdles to the Chananites: she opens her mouth heedfully and with propriety, and controls her tongue.
She has made finely woven cloth and sold it, and she has delivered a waistband to the Canaanite.
25 She puts on strength and honor; and rejoices in the last days.
Strength and elegance are her clothing, and she will laugh in the final days.
26 But she opens her mouth wisely, and according to law.
She has opened her mouth to wisdom, and the law of clemency is on her tongue.
27 The ways of her household are careful, and she eats not the bread of idleness.
She has considered the paths of her household, and she has not eaten her bread in idleness.
28 And [her] kindness to them sets up her children for them, and they grow rich, and her husband praises her.
Her sons rose up and predicted great happiness; her husband rose up and praised her.
29 Many daughters have obtained wealth, many have wrought valiantly; but you have exceeded, you have surpassed all.
Many daughters have gathered together riches; you have surpassed them all.
30 Charms are false, and woman's beauty is vain: for it is a wise woman that is blessed, and let her praise the fear the Lord.
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 lips; and let her husband be praised in the gates.
Give to her from the fruit of her own hands. And let her works praise her at the gates.
