Proverbs 31
1 The words of king Lemuel; the oracle which his mother taught him.
The words of king Lamuel. The vision wherewith his mother instructed him.
2 What, my son? and what, O son of my womb, and what, O son of my vows?
What, O my beloved, what, O the beloved of my womb, what, O the beloved of my vows?
3 Give not thy strength unto women, nor thy ways to that which destroyeth kings.
Give not thy substance to women, and thy riches to destroy kings.
4 It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine; nor for princes [to say], Where is strong drink?
Give not to kings, O Lamuel, give not wine to kings: because there is no secret where drunkenness reigneth:
5 Lest they drink, and forget the law, and pervert the judgment of any that is afflicted.
And lest they drink and forget judgments, and pervert the cause of the children of the poor.
6 Give strong drink unto him that is ready to perish, and wine unto the bitter in soul:
Give strong drink to them that are sad: and wine to them that are grieved in mind:
7 Let him drink, and forget his poverty, and remember his misery no more.
Let them drink, and forget their want, and remember their sorrow no more.
8 Open thy mouth for the dumb, in the cause of all such as are left desolate.
Open thy mouth for the dumb, and for the causes of all the children that pass.
9 Open thy mouth, judge righteously, and minister judgment to the poor and needy.
Open thy mouth, decree that which is just, and do justice to the needy and poor.
10 A virtuous woman who can find? for her price is far above rubies.
Who shall find a valiant woman? far and from the uttermost coasts is the price of her.
11 The heart of her husband trusteth in her, and he shall have no lack of gain.
The heart of her husband trusteth in her, and he shall have no need of spoils.
12 She doeth him good and not evil all the days of her life.
She will render him good, and not evil, all the days of her life.
13 She seeketh wool and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands.
She hath sought wool and flax, and hath wrought by the counsel of her hands.
14 She is like the merchant-ships; she bringeth her food from afar.
She is like the merchant’s ship, she bringeth her bread from afar.
15 She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and their task to her maidens.
And she hath risen in the night, and given a prey to her household, and victuals to her maidens.
16 She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard.
She hath considered a field, and bought it: with the fruit of her hands she hath planted a vineyard.
17 She girdeth her loins with strength, and maketh strong her arms.
She hath girded her loins with strength, and hath strengthened her arm.
18 She perceiveth that her merchandise is profitable: her lamp goeth not out by night.
She hath tasted and seen that her traffic is good: her lamp shall not be put out in the night.
19 She layeth her hands to the distaff, and her hands hold the spindle.
She hath put out her hand to strong things, and her fingers have taken hold of the spindle.
20 She spreadeth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy.
She hath opened her hand to the needy, and stretched out her hands to the poor.
21 She is not afraid of the snow for her household; for all her household are clothed with scarlet.
She shall not fear for her house in the cold of snow: for all her domestics are clothed with double garments.
22 She maketh for herself carpets of tapestry; her clothing is fine linen and purple.
She hath made for herself clothing of tapestry: fine linen, and purple is her covering.
23 Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land.
Her husband is honourable in the gates, when he sitteth among the senators of the land.
24 She maketh linen garments and selleth them; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant.
She made fine linen, and sold it, and delivered a girdle to the Chanaanite.
25 Strength and dignity are her clothing; and she laugheth at the time to come.
Strength and beauty are her clothing, and she shall laugh in the latter day.
26 She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and the law of kindness is on her tongue.
She hath opened her mouth to wisdom, and the law of clemency is on her tongue.
27 She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness.
She hath looked well to the paths of her house, and hath not eaten her bread idle.
28 Her children rise up, and call her blessed; her husband [also], and he praiseth her, [saying]:
Her children rose up, and called her blessed: her husband, and he praised her.
29 Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all.
Many daughters have gathered together riches: thou hast surpassed them all.
30 Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: [but] a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised.
Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: the woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised.
31 Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her works praise her in the gates.
Give her of the fruit of her hands: and let her works praise her in the gates.
