Proverbs 31
1 Words of Lemuel, a king, a declaration that his mother taught him:
These are the words of King Lemuel, an oracle, taught to him by his mother.
2 “What, my son? And what, son of my womb? And what, son of my vows?
What shall I tell you, my son?—the son I gave birth to, the son given in response to my vows.
3 Do not give your strength to women, And your ways to wiping away of kings.
Don't waste your strength sleeping with women, those that bring down kings.
4 [It is] not for kings, O Lemuel, Not for kings, to drink wine, And for princes—a desire of strong drink.
Lemuel, kings shouldn't be drinking wine, rulers shouldn't be drinking alcohol.
5 Lest he drink, and forget the decree, And change the judgment of any of the sons of affliction.
For if they drink, they'll forget what the law says, and pervert the rights of those who are suffering.
6 Give strong drink to the perishing, And wine to the bitter in soul,
Give alcohol to those who are dying, and wine to those who are in terrible distress.
7 He drinks, and forgets his poverty, And he does not remember his misery again.
Let them drink so they can forget their poverty, and not remember their troubles any longer.
8 Open your mouth for the mute, For the right of all sons of change.
Speak up for those who have no voice, for the rights of those marginalized by society.
9 Open your mouth, judge righteously, Both the cause of the poor and needy!”
Speak up and judge fairly; defend the poor and destitute.
10 [ALEPH-BET] A woman of worth who finds? Indeed, her price [is] far above rubies.
Who can find a strong, capable wife? She's worth more than jewels!
11 The heart of her husband has trusted in her, And he does not lack spoil.
Her husband has complete confidence in her, and with her he'll never be poor.
12 She has done him good, and not evil, All [the] days of her life.
She brings him good, not evil, all her life.
13 She has sought wool and flax, And with delight she works [with] her hands.
She gets wool and flax, and with her eager hands turns them into clothes.
14 She has been as ships of the merchant, She brings in her bread from afar.
Like a merchant's ship, she brings food from far away.
15 Indeed, she rises while yet night, And gives food to her household, And a portion to her girls.
She gets up while it's still dark to make breakfast for her family, and to plan what her servant girls need to do.
16 She has considered a field, and takes it, She has planted a vineyard from the fruit of her hands.
She looks at a field, and decides to buy it; from the money she's earned she buys a vineyard.
17 She has girded her loins with might, And strengthens her arms.
She's keen to get ready, and works hard with her strong arms.
18 She has perceived when her merchandise [is] good, Her lamp is not extinguished in the night.
She knows that the things she makes are valuable. She keeps busy—her lamp burns late into the night.
19 She has sent forth her hands on a spindle, And her hands have held a distaff.
She spins the thread and weaves the cloth.
20 She has spread forth her hand to the poor, Indeed, she sent forth her hands to the needy.
She's generous to the poor, and gives help to the needy.
21 She is not afraid of her household from snow, For all her household are clothed [with] scarlet.
She doesn't worry if it snows, because her whole family has warm clothing.
22 She has made ornamental coverings for herself, Silk and purple [are] her clothing.
She makes herself bedspreads; she dresses in fine linen and purple clothes.
23 Her husband is known in the gates, In his sitting with [the] elderly of [the] land.
Her husband is well-respected in the council at the town gates, where he sits with the town elders.
24 She has made linen garments, and sells, And she has given a girdle to the merchant.
She makes linen clothes for sale, and supplies merchants with belts.
25 Strength and honor [are] her clothing, And she rejoices at a latter day.
She's clothed with strength and dignity, and she is happy about the future.
26 She has opened her mouth in wisdom, And the law of kindness [is] on her tongue.
She speaks wise words, and she's kind when she gives instructions.
27 She [is] watching the ways of her household, And she does not eat bread of sloth.
She looks after the needs of her whole household, and she's never idle.
28 Her sons have risen up, and pronounce her blessed, Her husband, and he praises her,
Her children are quick to bless her. Her husband praises her too, saying,
29 “The daughters who have done worthily [are] many, You have gone up above them all.”
“Many women do great things, but you are better than all of them!”
30 Favor [is] deceitful, and beauty [is] vain, A woman fearing YHWH, she may boast herself.
Charm can deceive, and beauty fades, but a woman who honors the Lord should be praised.
31 Give to her of the fruit of her hands, And her works praise her in the gates!
Give her the recognition she deserves; praise her publicly for what she's done.
