Proverbs 31
1 The words of king Lemuel, the prophecy with which his mother instructed him.
My words have been spoken by God—the oracular answer of a king, whom his mother instructed.
2 What [hast thou done], O my son: and what, O son of my body? and what, O son of my vows?
What wilt thou keep, my son, what? the words of God. My firstborn son, I speak to thee: what? son of my womb? what? son of my vows?
3 Give not unto women thy vigor, nor thy ways to those that ruin kings.
Give not thy wealth to women, nor thy mind and living to remorse. Do all things with counsel: drink wine with counsel.
4 Not for kings, O Lemoel, not for kings [it is fitting] to drink wine, nor for princes, strong drink:
Princes are prone to anger: let them then not drink wine:
5 Lest either might drink, and forget what is written in the law, and pervert the cause of all the afflicted.
lest they drink, and forget wisdom, and be not able to judge the poor rightly.
6 Give strong drink unto him that is ready to perish, and wine unto those who have an embittered soul.
Give strong drink to those that are in sorrow, and the wine to drink to those in pain:
7 Let such a one drink, and forget his poverty, and remember his trouble no more.
that they may forget their poverty, and may not remember their troubles any more.
8 Open thy mouth for the dumb, for the cause of all fatherless children.
Open thy mouth with the word of God, and judge all fairly.
9 Open thy mouth, judge righteously, and decide the cause of the poor and needy.
Open thy mouth and judge justly, and plead the cause of the poor and weak.
10 Who can find a virtuous woman: for far above pearls is her value.
Who shall find a virtuous woman? for such a one is more valuable than precious stones.
11 The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, and he will not see his gain diminish.
The heart of her husband trusts in her: such a one shall stand in no need of fine spoils.
12 She treateth him well and not ill, all the days of her life.
For she employs all her living for her husband's good.
13 She seeketh for wool and flax, and worketh with her willing hands.
Gathering wool and flax, she makes it serviceable with her hands.
14 She is become like the merchant's ships: from afar doth she bring her food.
She is like a ship trading from a distance: so she procures her livelihood.
15 And she riseth while it is yet night, and giveth provision to her household, and a task to her maidens.
And she rises by night, and gives food to her household, and [appointed] tasks to her maidens.
16 She thinketh of a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard.
She views a farm, and buys it: and with the fruit of her hands she plants and a possession.
17 She girdeth with strength her loins, and giveth vigor to her arms.
She strongly girds her loins, and strengthens her arms for work.
18 She perceiveth that her profit is good: [therefore] her lamp goeth not out by night.
And she finds by experience that working is good; and her candle goes not out all night.
19 She stretcheth out her hands to the spindle, and her palms hold fast the distaff.
She reaches forth her arms to needful [works], and applies her hands to the spindle.
20 She spreadeth out wide her open palm to the poor: yea, her hands she stretcheth forth to the needy.
And she opens her hands to the needy, and reaches out fruit to the poor.
21 She hath no fear for her household of the snow: for all her household are clothed in scarlet.
Her husband is not anxious about those at home when he tarries anywhere abroad: for all her household are clothed.
22 Tapestry-covering she maketh for herself: of linen and purple is her attire.
She makes for her husband clothes of double texture, and garments for herself of fine linen and scarlet.
23 Well known is in the gates her husband, when he sitteth with the elders of the land.
And her husband becomes a distinguished [person] in the gates, when he sits in council with the old inhabitants of the land.
24 Fine tunics she maketh, and selleth them, and girdles she furnisheth unto the merchant.
She makes fine linens, and sells girdles to the Chananites: she opens her mouth heedfully and with propriety, and controls her tongue.
25 Strength and dignity are her clothing: and she smileth at the coming of the last day.
She puts on strength and honour; and rejoices in the last days.
26 She openeth her mouth with wisdom, and the law of kindness is on her tongue.
But she opens her mouth wisely, and according to law.
27 She looketh well to the ways of her household, and the bread of idleness she doth not eat.
The ways of her household are careful, and she eats not the bread of idleness.
28 Her children rise up, and call her blessed; her husband, also, and he praiseth her:
And [her] kindness to them sets up her children for them, and they grow rich, and her husband praises her.
29 “Many daughters have done virtuously; but thou excellest them all.”
Many daughters have obtained wealth, many have wrought valiantly; but thou hast exceeded, thou hast surpassed all.
30 False is grace, and vain is beauty: a woman only that feareth the Lord shall indeed be praised.
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.
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 lips; and let her husband be praised in the gates.
