Proverbs 31
1 The words of king Lemuel; the oracle which his mother taught him.
These are the words of King Lemuel, an oracle, taught to him by his mother.
2 "Oh, my son. Oh, son of my womb. Oh, 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, nor your ways to that which destroys kings.
Don't waste your strength sleeping with women, those that bring down kings.
4 It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine, or for princes to take strong drink,
Lemuel, kings shouldn't be drinking wine, rulers shouldn't be drinking alcohol.
5 lest they drink, and forget the decree, and pervert the justice due to anyone who is afflicted.
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 him who is ready to perish; and wine to the bitter in soul:
Give alcohol to those who are dying, and wine to those who are in terrible distress.
7 Let him drink, and forget his poverty, and remember his misery no more.
Let them drink so they can forget their poverty, and not remember their troubles any longer.
8 Open your mouth for the mute, in the cause of all who are left desolate.
Speak up for those who have no voice, for the rights of those marginalized by society.
9 Open your mouth, judge righteously, and serve justice to the poor and needy."
Speak up and judge fairly; defend the poor and destitute.
10 Who can find a worthy woman? For 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 trusts in her. He shall have no lack of gain.
Her husband has complete confidence in her, and with her he'll never be poor.
12 She does him good, and not harm, all the days of her life.
She brings him good, not evil, all her life.
13 She seeks wool and flax, and works eagerly with her hands.
She gets wool and flax, and with her eager hands turns them into clothes.
14 She is like the merchant ships. She brings her bread from afar.
Like a merchant's ship, she brings food from far away.
15 She rises also while it is yet night, gives food to her household, and portions for her servant 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 considers a field, and buys it. With the fruit of her hands, she plants a vineyard.
She looks at a field, and decides to buy it; from the money she's earned she buys a vineyard.
17 She girds her waist with strength, and makes her arms strong.
She's keen to get ready, and works hard with her strong arms.
18 She perceives that her merchandise is profitable. Her lamp doesn't go out by night.
She knows that the things she makes are valuable. She keeps busy—her lamp burns late into the night.
19 She lays her hands to the distaff, and her hands hold the spindle.
She spins the thread and weaves the cloth.
20 She opens her arms to the poor; yes, she extends her hands to the needy.
She's generous to the poor, and gives help to the needy.
21 She is not afraid of the snow for her household; for all her household are clothed with scarlet.
She doesn't worry if it snows, because her whole family has warm clothing.
22 She makes for herself carpets of tapestry. Her clothing is fine linen and purple.
She makes herself bedspreads; she dresses in fine linen and purple clothes.
23 Her husband is respected in the gates, when he sits among the elders of the land.
Her husband is well-respected in the council at the town gates, where he sits with the town elders.
24 She makes linen garments and sells them, and delivers sashes to the merchant.
She makes linen clothes for sale, and supplies merchants with belts.
25 Strength and dignity are her clothing. She laughs at the time to come.
She's clothed with strength and dignity, and she is happy about the future.
26 She opens her mouth with wisdom. Faithful instruction is on her tongue.
She speaks wise words, and she's kind when she gives instructions.
27 She looks well to the ways of her household, and doesn't eat the bread of idleness.
She looks after the needs of her whole household, and she's never idle.
28 Her children rise up and call her blessed. Her husband also praises her:
Her children are quick to bless her. Her husband praises her too, saying,
29 "Many women do noble things, but you excel them all."
“Many women do great things, but you are better than all of them!”
30 Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain; but a woman who fears YHWH, she shall be praised.
Charm can deceive, and beauty fades, but a woman who honors the Lord should be praised.
31 Give her of the fruit of her hands. Let her works praise her in the gates.
Give her the recognition she deserves; praise her publicly for what she's done.
