Proverbs 31
1 The words of king Lemuel, the prophecy with which his mother instructed him.
The words of King Lemuel—an instruction 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?
What, my son? What is it, son of my womb? What do you want, 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, or your ways to those who destroy 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, Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine, or for rulers to crave strong drink,
5 Lest either might drink, and forget what is written in the law, and pervert the cause of all the afflicted.
because when they drink they forget what has been decreed, and pervert the rights of all the 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 a person who is perishing and wine to those in bitter distress.
7 Let such a one drink, and forget his poverty, and remember his trouble no more.
He will drink and he will forget his poverty and he will not remember his trouble.
8 Open thy mouth for the dumb, for the cause of all fatherless children.
Speak for those who cannot speak, for the causes of all who are perishing.
9 Open thy mouth, judge righteously, and decide the cause of the poor and needy.
Speak out and judge by the measure of what is right and plead the cause of poor and needy people.
10 Who can find a virtuous woman: for far above pearls is her value.
Who can find a capable wife? Her value is far more than jewels.
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, and he will never be poor.
12 She treateth him well and not ill, all the days of her life.
She does good things for him and not evil all the days of her life.
13 She seeketh for wool and flax, and worketh with her willing hands.
She selects wool and flax, and works with the delight of 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 food from far away.
15 And she riseth while it is yet night, and giveth provision to her household, and a task to her maidens.
She rises while it is night and gives food to her household, and she distributes the work for her female servants.
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 dresses herself 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 what will make a good profit for her; all night long her lamp is not extinguished.
19 She stretcheth out her hands to the spindle, and her palms hold fast the distaff.
She puts her hands on the spindle, and she holds the twisting thread.
20 She spreadeth out wide her open palm to the poor: yea, her hands she stretcheth forth to the needy.
She reaches out with her hand to poor people; she reaches out with her hands to needy people.
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 in scarlet.
22 Tapestry-covering she maketh for herself: of linen and purple is her attire.
She makes coverings for her bed, and she wears clothes of fine purple linen.
23 Well known is in the gates her husband, when he sitteth with the elders of the land.
Her husband is known at the gates, when he sits with 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 she supplies sashes to the merchants.
25 Strength and dignity are her clothing: and she smileth at the coming of the last day.
She is clothed with strength and honor, and 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 and the law of kindness is on her tongue.
27 She looketh well to the ways of her household, and the bread of idleness she doth not eat.
She watches over the ways of her household and does not 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, and her husband praises her, saying,
29 “Many daughters have done virtuously; but thou excellest them all.”
“Many women have done well, but you surpassed them all.”
30 False is grace, and vain is beauty: a woman only that feareth the Lord shall indeed be praised.
Elegance is deceptive, beauty is vain, but a woman who fears Yahweh, she will be praised.
31 Give her of the fruit of her hands, and let her own works praise her in the gates.
Give her the fruit of her hands and let her works praise her in the gates.
