Proverbs 31
1 The words of king Lemuel, the prophecy with which his mother instructed him.
The words of king Lemuel; the oracle which his mother taught him.
2 What [hast thou done], O my son: and what, O son of my body? and what, O son of my vows?
"Oh, my son. Oh, son of my womb. Oh, son of my vows.
3 Give not unto women thy vigor, nor thy ways to those that ruin kings.
Do not give your strength to women, nor your ways to that which destroys kings.
4 Not for kings, O Lemoel, not for kings [it is fitting] 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 princes to take strong drink,
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 the decree, and pervert the justice due to anyone who is afflicted.
6 Give strong drink unto him that is ready to perish, and wine unto those who have an embittered soul.
Give strong drink to him who is ready to perish; and wine to the bitter in soul:
7 Let such a one drink, and forget his poverty, and remember his trouble no more.
Let him drink, and forget his poverty, and remember his misery no more.
8 Open thy mouth for the dumb, for the cause of all fatherless children.
Open your mouth for the mute, in the cause of all who are left desolate.
9 Open thy mouth, judge righteously, and decide the cause of the poor and needy.
Open your mouth, judge righteously, and serve justice to the poor and needy."
10 Who can find a virtuous woman: for far above pearls is her value.
Who can find a worthy woman? For her price is far above rubies.
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. He shall have no lack of gain.
12 She treateth him well and not ill, all the days of her life.
She does him good, and not harm, all the days of her life.
13 She seeketh for wool and flax, and worketh with her willing hands.
She seeks wool and flax, and works eagerly with her hands.
14 She is become like the merchant's ships: from afar doth she bring her food.
She is like the merchant ships. She brings her bread from afar.
15 And she riseth while it is yet night, and giveth provision to her household, and a task to her maidens.
She rises also while it is yet night, gives food to her household, and portions for her servant girls.
16 She thinketh of a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard.
She considers a field, and buys it. With the fruit of her hands, she plants a vineyard.
17 She girdeth with strength her loins, and giveth vigor to her arms.
She girds her waist with strength, and makes her arms strong.
18 She perceiveth that her profit is good: [therefore] her lamp goeth not out by night.
She perceives that her merchandise is profitable. Her lamp doesn't go out by night.
19 She stretcheth out her hands to the spindle, and her palms hold fast the distaff.
She lays her hands to the distaff, and her hands hold the spindle.
20 She spreadeth out wide her open palm to the poor: yea, her hands she stretcheth forth to the needy.
She opens her arms to the poor; yes, she extends her hands to the needy.
21 She hath no fear for her household of the snow: for all her household are clothed in scarlet.
She is not afraid of the snow for her household; for all her household are clothed with scarlet.
22 Tapestry-covering she maketh for herself: of linen and purple is her attire.
She makes for herself carpets of tapestry. Her clothing is fine linen and purple.
23 Well known is in the gates her husband, when he sitteth with the elders of the land.
Her husband is respected in the gates, when he sits among the elders of the land.
24 Fine tunics she maketh, and selleth them, and girdles she furnisheth unto the merchant.
She makes linen garments and sells them, and delivers sashes to the merchant.
25 Strength and dignity are her clothing: and she smileth at the coming of the last day.
Strength and dignity are her clothing. She laughs at the time to come.
26 She openeth her mouth with wisdom, and the law of kindness is on her tongue.
She opens her mouth with wisdom. Faithful instruction is on her tongue.
27 She looketh well to the ways of her household, and the bread of idleness she doth not eat.
She looks well to the ways of her household, and doesn't eat the bread of idleness.
28 Her children rise up, and call her blessed; her husband, also, and he praiseth her:
Her children rise up and call her blessed. Her husband also praises her:
29 “Many daughters have done virtuously; but thou excellest them all.”
"Many women do noble things, but you excel them all."
30 False is grace, and vain is beauty: a woman only that feareth the Lord shall indeed be praised.
Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain; but a woman who fears YHWH, 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. Let her works praise her in the gates.
